Directors Update – September 2023
Hi everyone, it’s officially autumn, the summer is over, schools are back, and Halloween stock is on display in the stores! I hope you had some time to rest and recharge over the summer months. I am just back from a visit to Australia. As you know Key Assets has companies in most of the Australian states and I was lucky enough to visit three – New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. It was an incredible opportunity to share ideas and find out how fostering works down under. I learned that fostering in Australia is facing many of the same challenges as we are experiencing here (a lack of foster carers and a system that is difficult to navigate for supports) and the same highlights- celebrating the change that is possible when a child receives stability, support, and love. While I was away the Leaving Cert results were published. We send huge congratulations to the young people in FFI who achieved amazing results and are continuing to third level. To their foster carers who have supported them throughout, thank you for giving them life changing opportunities. I also wish to acknowledge the great support offered by Louise Tudor Edmonds to all exam year students.
As we move to a new season, we thought it was also time to refresh the format of our newsletter and hope that you like the new layout. We welcome any feedback on the newsletter, anything you would like to see /what is useful /what you need less of – let us know your thoughts 😊.
AS you are aware, several of the summer events had to be cancelled due to low participation which was disappointing for the Children’s Services Team who put a huge amount of time and effort into planning these events and for the families who had hoped to attend. We recognise that summer is a busy time with camps, holidays away and just having a lack of the usual routine. We would really appreciate your feedback on what type of summer activity that would work for you and your family/ day /location and any suggestions you might have.
We are awaiting the results of the Tusla Monitoring Inspection which took place in mid-July and will update you when the report is available. Thank you to all the carers who provided feedback to the inspectors as part of this process- it really helps that the inspectors can speak directly with you about the important work that you do.
There has been a lot of media coverage about fostering and the pressures that inflation has caused on families who foster. The shortage of foster carers in many parts of the country is now a reality and change is needed. The Minister has made a commitment that the fostering allowance will be adjusted and we look forward to news on that in the upcoming budget.
We are also now in planning mode for our annual Carer Party. Details are in the newsletter and if you have not booked a place, please consider joining us – it is a celebration of what you do every day and hopefully lots of fun. I really look forward to seeing as many of our amazing foster carers as possible on the night.
In the meantime, if there is anything you wish to bring to my attention, please don’t hesitate to do so by email marie.faughey@ffi.ie or by mobile 0879790135. If you are visiting Dublin, you are always welcome to drop into Grantham House and say hello. We love having visitors to the Dublin office.
With best wishes
Marie.
