Who What Why?
An Information Booklet on
the Services offered by the
Irish Foster Care Association
Who What Why?
An introduction to the services offered
by the Irish Foster Care Association
May 2013
SATTAL Print and Promotional Solutions; Dublin
Contents
Introduction
2
Who we are
3
Objectives of the Irish Foster Care Association
4
Organisational Structure of IFCA
5
What we offer
7
Information and Guidance
7
Support & Mediation Service
7
Training 8
Publications
9
Why join us?
11
Classes of membership
12
Membership Application/Renewal form
13
Proposal for Legal Expenses Insurance
14
Method of Payment
15
Direct Debit Mandate
16
1
Introduction
The terms foster care and foster parents throughout this booklet refers to
all individuals and families involved in foster care in Ireland, be it general,
relative, emergency, day, respite, high support foster care.
At the time of printing the process of setting up a Child & Family Agency
separate from the HSE was underway; for the purpose of this leaflet the
terms Health Board, HSE and Child & Family Agency are interchangeable.
Established in 1981, the Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA) is today
recognised as the representative body of foster carers in Ireland. Its
membership is broad based and includes general/relative carers who have
contracts with the HSE and private/independent fostering agencies, social/
child care workers, academics and others with an interest in foster care.
The Association works in partnership with the HSE and the Department
of Children and Youth Affairs on all matters relating to foster care; always
ensuring that the best interests of the child are to the fore in all discussions.
With over 90 per cent of children in State care placed with foster carers it is
not an overestimation to assert that foster care is the backbone of the Irish
care system.
This booklet has been put together to answer any questions you may have
about the Association and to encourage you to join us to strengthen the
voice of foster carers in Ireland.
2
Who We Are
Mission Statement:
The Irish Foster Care Association is a ‘rights based’, child centred organisation
which promotes family based solutions for children and young people in ‘out
of home care’.
The Irish Foster Care Association believes in the highest standard of
excellence in all foster care services and is committed to achieving its goal
through advocacy, support, education and working in a spirit of partnership
and co-operation.
The Irish Foster Care Association believes every child has the right to a caring
and functioning family. Where this is not possible with their birth family,
IFCA believes they have a right to a substitute family
The Irish Foster Care Association is a Company Limited by Guarantee with a
Charity Number.
3
Objectives of the Irish Foster Care Association are:
•
To be the voice of foster care in Ireland by providing comprehensive
support and mediation, training and advocacy programmes to its
members who will be made up of the majority of foster carers. IFCA will
model excellent collaboration between social workers and foster carers.
•
To provide independent support and mediation in fostering situations.
•
To increase the expertise of all involved in foster care by delivering
training programmes that match best practice globally.
•
To build a systematic advocacy process that will unremittingly campaign
on behalf of our members on issues.
•
To build on the existing excellent relationships with parties who have
vested interests in childcare and develop new ones.
•
To structure the IFCA board so that it delivers excellent governance. To
review IFCA overall structures and create the most effective organisation
capable of delivering services to the membership.
4
Organisational Structure of IFCA:
Board
(Strategy & Governance)
National Forum of
Regional Reps.
CEO
Regions and Branches
(Support members and deal
with local issues)
Members
(Deliver best practice,
be supported by and
promote the Association)
(Strategy implementation &
Operations)
Staff
(Implementation &
Operations)
Members; foster and relative carers, social workers, child care workers,
academics and others with an interest in foster care.
Branches; IFCA has c.28 active, voluntary branches around the country
that meet on a regular basis, keeping local members up to date on matters
relating to fostering and organising events such as guest speakers, training
and social events.
5
Regional Structure: Branches within an area come together to form Regional
Committees with a Regional Representative being elected to represent that
area on the IFCA National Forum of Regional Representatives. Ten IFCA
Regional Representatives sit on this Forum and they elect, from among
themselves four to represent them on the IFCA Board of Directors.
Board of Directors: The IFCA Board has a maximum membership of 12, four
representing the IFCA National Forum of Regional Representatives with the
remaining eight representing the areas identified by the objectives of the
Association.
Staff: The IFCA CEO has responsibility for the day to day running of the
Association and supervises the remaining staff working in the areas of
Support & Mediation, Training, Finance and Administration. The IFCA
National Office is based at Unit 23, Village Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
6
What We Offer
IFCA provides a forum where all those who are interested or involved in
foster care can get together to support one another, air their views and
where necessary, campaign for improvements in child care policy and
regulation.
IFCA provides a range of services to its members including:
Information and Guidance
IFCA staff are a valuable source of information and support. They welcome
your queries and are available to provide information and guidance on
fostering issues.
Support Help-line
A dedicated support help-line available through the IFCA office is being
launched early autumn 2013. The help-line will be manned by volunteers
trained to deal with your queries no matter how big or small they may seem.
Support & Mediation Service
The IFCA support and mediation team offers independent and professional
support in fostering situations. IFCA aims to offer the best support during
difficult times to make the process clearer and easier for all involved. This
service is confidential, responsive and personal. The level of support varies
depending on the need, but may include any or all of the following services:
7
Advocacy: Providing independent and objective advice, ensuring foster carers
are adequately informed of their rights. Practical assistance with regard
to understanding and responding to written reports, accompaniment to
meetings where necessary, ensuring foster carers are well represented and
remain engaged in the process.
Mediation: Professional independent support in the event of disputes
during the investigation of allegations or other areas of concern, to ensure
all parties remain constructively engaged and to facilitate the voicing of all
perspectives. The aim of mediation is to find a compromise or way forward
when there is a breakdown in communication.
Emotional and Psychological Support: Fostering is complex and issues such
as placement endings, whether planned or unplanned, plus responding to
allegations or complaints can be very distressing for all involved. Telephone
counselling, face-to-face meetings and a listening, non-judgemental ear, are a
fundamental part of our support and advocacy service.
Training
IFCA has developed a register of accredited trainers and training courses
relevant to foster carers, social workers and others involved in foster care.
8
Annual seminars & conference
IFCA nationally and its branches and regions host seminars each year on
current issues which include research and best international practice.
The IFCA National Conference is run over a weekend in November each
year; this event is hosted by an IFCA branch/region in collaboration with
the National Office. This is a major training/social event for foster cares and
social workers in the foster care calendar.
Further details of upcoming events are available from the National Office or
online.
Publications
Newsletter: The IFCA newsletter is circulated to all members keeping them
up to date on all issues relevant to foster care and upcoming events.
Leaflets: IFCA has produced leaflets and booklets on topics relevant to foster
care including:
• Foster Care: An information booklet on Foster Care in Ireland
• Safe Care: An information booklet on Safe Care in Foster Care
• Access: An information leaflet on Access for General/Relative Foster
Carers
Books: IFCA sources books which we feel would be of interest to people
involved in foster care. These books are available to buy through the
National Office and also at all IFCA events.
9
Insurance
The Association’s Public Liability Insurance covers affiliated IFCA branches for
any activities they organise.
IFCA has a Group Legal Expenses Insurance scheme open to members to
cover the legal costs incurred should an allegation made against them or
members of their family require legal advice/intervention or result in a court
appearance.
The policy is also available to social workers, child care workers or others
involved with the family in relation to their fostering. This policy is only
available to members of IFCA and all are encouraged to avail of it.
Please contact the IFCA office for further details on any of the above and
keep an eye on our website for updates on all services/events. www.ifca.ie
10
Why Join Us?
First years membership of IFCA is free for all new members.
Membership of IFCA entitles you to:
-- IFCA Newsletter
-- Reduced membership rate to IFCA Seminars and Conferences
-- Access to all the services of IFCA
-- Up to date information re developments on all issues relevant to foster
care
-- Entry into free draw at IFCA Conference each year.
By joining IFCA you are joining others interested in working for the best
interests of children in care and giving IFCA a mandate to advocate on your
behalf with the relevant policy makers.
Legislation, policies, standards of practice, all ultimately affects the child in
your care. As responsible workers and carers, it is essential that we are, at
the very least, aware of these effects. As a member of IFCA, you will have a
strong voice in influencing improvements in the quality of foster care.
Membership of the Association is open to individuals, groups or societies;
a. Involved with children who are in the care of the HSE,
b. Who’s aims and policies are compatible with those of IFCA,
c. In related academic fields.
An individual’s holding of membership is at the discretion of the Board. In
the event that a person is deemed through their actions to have brought
the Association into disrepute, their membership may be withdrawn by the
Board.
11
Classes of membership:
Individual: An Individual Member is an individual, over eighteen years of
age, who has paid their subscription. An Individual membership entitles an
individual to one vote.
Family: A Family membership is open to any family group, one of whom shall
be over eighteen, who have paid their subscription. It includes all members
of a family permanently residing in the family home. Family membership
entitles the family to two votes. The persons to exercise this right shall
be over eighteen years of age, nominated by the family and be placed on
a register of voters at time of joining or renewal of membership of the
Company.
Group: Group membership is open to any group involved in child care, which
has paid its subscription. It includes all residents and employees of the
group, one of whom shall be over eighteen. The Group membership entitles
this group to two votes. The persons to exercise this right shall be over
eighteen years of age, nominated by the group and be placed on a register of
voters at time of joining or renewal of membership of the Company.
Voting refers to voting rights at IFCA meetings/AGM’s etc.
To join:
-- Please complete the membership application form on next page and
return to the IFCA Office.
-- If you wish to take out the Legal Expenses Insurance please complete the
form overleaf and again, return to the IFCA Office.
-- Alternatively, log onto our website, www.ifca.ie and complete forms and
payment online.
12
Membership
Application/
Renewal Form
Name:
Address:
Email:
Tel. No.
Mobile:
Branch: (if known)
General Carer ■
Other ■
Relative Carer ■
Social Worker ■
Please specify
Membership Category:
First year Free ■
Individual €55 ■
Family €65 ■
Group €120 ■
I/We agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the Irish Foster Care
Association (available from the IFCA Office)
Signed:
Date:
For those who are taking out Family or Group membership:
Please complete below the details of the two persons who are being nominated to
vote. These names will be placed on the register of voters.
Name:
Name:
(Please print)
13
Proposal for
Legal Expenses
Insurance
(Use block capitals)
Name:
Address:
Phone No:
IFCA Membership No: (if known)
Please print names of all members of family permanently residing in your household.
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Fee: €40
Declaration:
I declare that the statements and particulars given in this proposal are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and complete and that this proposal will form the basis of my contract with
DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Ltd.
Signature:
Date:
14
Method of
Payment
You may pay by including a cheque, postal order or bank draft and returning
with the completed application forms to the National Office. Please make all
cheques/postal orders/bank drafts payable to IFCA.
You may also pay by credit/debit card by completing the section below.
If you wish to set up a direct debit to pay through your bank, please complete
the Direct Debit Mandate on page 20.
NB – Do not send cash
Cheque/Bank Draft
PO
Direct Debit
Credit/Debit Card
Credit/Debt Card No.
Expiry Date
Signature of Cardholder
Security Code
Please forward completed forms to:
IFCA Office,
Unit 23,
Village Green,
Tallaght Village,
Dublin 24
Tel: 01 459 9474
Fax: 01 462 8014
Email: [email protected]
www.ifca.ie
15
Direct Debit
Mandate
INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BANK TO PAY DIRECT DEBITS
Please complete part 1 to 4 to instruct your Bank to make payment directly
from your Account. Then return this form to the Irish Foster Care Association
Ltd.
Originator’s Identification Number: ID 301909
Originators Reference:
I.F.C.A.
1.
Name and full postal address of your Bank:
2.
Name of Account Holder:
3.
Sort Code:
Account Number:
Banks will only accept instructions to pay direct debits from Current Accounts.
4.
o
o
o
o
o
Your instructions to the Bank and Signature:
I instruct you to pay direct debits from my account at the request of
the Irish Foster Care Association Ltd.
The amounts are variable and may be debited on various dates.
I understand that the Irish Foster Care Association Ltd. may change the
amount and dates only after giving me prior notice.
I will inform the Bank in writing if I wish to cancel this instruction.
I understand that if any direct debit is paid which breaks the terms of
this instruction, the Bank will make a refund.
Signature (s)
Date
Irish Foster Care Association Ltd:
Unit 23, Village Green, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24
16
Irish Foster Care Association
Unit 23,
Village Green,
Tallaght Village,
Dublin 24
Tel: 01 459 9474
Fax: 01 462 8014
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ifca.ie