Issue 15 – Protecting foster care

Foster journal Issue 15 (2024), Protecting foster care, is based on the theme of IFCA’s National Conference in 2023.

At the conference, Dr Danielle Douglas gave a powerful keynote address and this journal issue opens with her article, ‘Protecting foster care: an insider’s perspective’, which provides us with insight into her personal experience of foster care, the lens through which she has developed her extensive professional research and practice. In their article, ‘Trauma in the foster care system: finding positive ways forward in practice’, authors Lisa McCormack, Niamh Campbell and Dr Maria Lotty provide us with an insightful and timely look at trauma-informed practice in the context of the current challenges in the fostering system.

In ‘The protective capacity of reflective ability’, Jim Cantwell champions the value and

benefit of reflective practice and Caroline Roe and Agnes Feely expand upon the theme of their conference workshop based on the important research, ‘Risk factors and patterns of disruption in foster care in Ireland’. A refreshing perspective on the importance of fun and humour is provided for us in Dr John Digney’s article, and in ‘Rolling up our sleeves to stay connected and protected’ Alison Digney tells us of the vast array of benefits and improved outcomes associated with horticultural therapy.