At IFCA we understand that you may need support to carry out your foster caring role. We believe that situations such as allegations, communication breakdowns and placement disruptions require additional support, guidance and sensitivity.
You can contact the Advocacy Team by contacting our National Helpline
Our Approach
Our dedicated team of advocacy workers will work with you to ensure that you feel acknowledged, understood and supported to respond in difficult situations. We will direct you to resources if it is required.
Our approach is based on collaboration, communication and encouragement. Above all, we will focus on, your ability to advocate for yourself. We believe that preparation and reflection is key to ensuring that you can effectively represent your views and concerns.
IFCA Counselling Service for Members
IFCA recognises the need to support foster carers who have had the experience of an allegation of abuse or complaints made against them, who have been involved in complex fostering experiences or who have found that the experience of fostering has placed stress on them in their lives. Referrals to the service will be made from the National Advocacy Service to our qualified and experienced counsellor, with the consent of foster carers. The service is free of charge and confidential.
Our Approach
Our dedicated team of advocacy workers will work with you to ensure that you feel acknowledged, understood and supported to respond in difficult situations. We will direct you to resources if it is required.
Our approach is based on collaboration, communication and encouragement. Above all, we will focus on, your ability to advocate for yourself. We believe that preparation and reflection is key to ensuring that you can effectively represent your views and concerns.
IFCA’s Advocacy Team can support you to:
IFCA Counselling Service for Members
IFCA recognises the need to support foster carers who have had the experience of an allegation of abuse or complaints made against them, who have been involved in complex fostering experiences or who have found that the experience of fostering has placed stress on them in their lives. Referrals to the service will be made from the National Advocacy Service to our qualified and experienced counsellor, with the consent of foster carers. The service is free of charge and confidential.
We have a number of valued and committed Advocacy staff who have a wide range of experience and expertise.
“I have been working with IFCA’s Advocacy Support Service for two years. Throughout that time I have been struck by the dedication and commitment foster cares to give, and how positive and helpful they are for the children and young people, even when things are challenging. My work involves supporting foster cares to have their voice very important perspective heard. There is no doubt that communication is key for everyone involved in fostering, and it is so important for foster families to take time to reflect on what has gone well, to consider possible solutions, to tune into how they are feeling and ease their anxieties about what might be going on for them. Selfcare and compassion is crucial for everyone involved and is really central to my work.”
Colleen Nichols – National Advocacy Worker
We have a number of valued and committed Advocacy staff who have a wide range of experience and expertise.
“I have been working with IFCA’s Advocacy Support Service for two years. Throughout that time I have been struck by the dedication and commitment foster cares to give, and how positive and helpful they are for the children and young people, even when things are challenging. My work involves supporting foster cares to have their voice very important perspective heard. There is no doubt that communication is key for everyone involved in fostering, and it is so important for foster families to take time to reflect on what has gone well, to consider possible solutions, to tune into how they are feeling and ease their anxieties about what might be going on for them. Selfcare and compassion is crucial for everyone involved and is really central to my work.”
Colleen Nichols – National Advocacy Worker
