Information evening for potential foster carers

An information evening for those interested in becoming foster carers takes place this evening (Thursday) at 7 pm at Claremount Stadium Club in Navan. The event follows the launch of Tusla-Child and Family Agency's new public information campaign to recruit more foster carers in Meath and to dispel the myths around foster care eligibility.

The campaign is part of Tusla’s first national fostering campaign and it aims to remove misconceptions about who can foster a child, and encourage people from all walks of life to consider providing a loving environment for a vulnerable child. Tusla National Fostering Week, which takes place on October 14th-20th, is being supported by the Irish Foster care Association.

Across Meath, 134 foster carers currently open their homes to a combined total of 151 foster children.

For Tusla National Fostering Week in Meath there will be an additional fostering information evening on 24th October at 6 pm in the Enterprise Centre, Trim Road, Navan. 

CEO of the Irish Foster Care Association(IFCA) Catherine Bond said: “The Irish Foster Care Association is acutely aware of the need for more foster families who can provide children with a safe and secure family life. When a child cannot live with their own family, the best alternative for them is to live within another loving and secure family environment.

“Many foster carers will say that fostering is challenging but extremely rewarding, and to enable these foster families to offer the best they can to a child in their care, they need continuous support, and opportunities to meet with other foster carers.

"IFCA provides ongoing support to foster families and the wider fostering community, and opportunities for foster carers to network with each other - along with workshops and training.  

"Our National Support Service offers both a telephone helpline and advocacy service specifically for foster carers.  We would encourage anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch with Tusla.”