Resolving Issues in Foster Care

Wednesday 16th September, 10am to 12noon, online via Zoom

With Karen Cahill

For foster carers and practitioners throughout the country

To Book You Place: email Katherine on learning@ifca.ie

Overview:

This information session outlines the various routes available to foster carers in attempting to resolve issues and problems which may arise for them within the context of fostering children. It focuses on the importance of compassionate communication in the working relationships foster carers have with a wide range of people in their role including professionals and birth family members. It considers a variety of challenges inherent in these fostering relationships and provides tools and resources that may help foster carers find a pathway to a resolution.

About Karen Cahill

Karen Cahill has a BA Social Care, Dip Community and Family Studies, MA Family Support Studies. Karen has a background and a number of years’ experience in Social Care and Youth Work and up to 2016, she worked primarily with people experiencing homelessness and children and young people in care.  Many of the parents and children that Karen worked and liaised with at this time were involved in the fostering system.

Karen currently works with IFCA as Helpline Co-Ordinator supporting Foster Carers and callers to the National Support Helpline, working with a team of volunteers and staff to support callers in navigating complex situations, provide guidance and empower callers.  Karen also has previous facilitation experience and recently finished a Masters in Family Support Studies which involved research on ‘Systems of Support for Foster Carers’; Karens goal is to continue working to support and empower Foster Carers in their roles and highlight the needs of Foster Carers from the voices of foster carers.