Our MDT Services
Our multidisciplinary team offers a range of tailored assessments and therapeutic supports designed to meet the complex needs of children and families. Whether it’s a psychological assessment, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or social work input, our goal is to build a clear picture of each child’s strengths and challenges.
We hope this overview helps answer any questions you may have about the services we offer — and how our work can contribute to better outcomes for those we support.

Child Psychology
Services

Assessment Services
Intellectual Functioning and Educational Needs
Comprehensive Child Developmental Assessment
Neuropsychological Assessments (e.g. brain injury, FASD, genetic conditions)
Adaptive Functioning / Capacity for Independent Living
Mental Health (e.g. anxiety, depression, specific concerns)
Attachment (in the context of birth family and/or foster family)
Specialist Risk Assessments (e.g. risk of physical/sexual violence)
Neurodivergent Conditions (Autism, ADHD)
Impact of Developmental Trauma on Child’s Functioning; Therapeutic Planning
Clinical Support/Intervention Services
Post diagnostic Clinical support re : Autism / ADHD for children /parents/carers. This is a brief intervention combining online and direct intervention providing psycho-educational inputs, behavioural support guidance for home (and school if required).
Post Assessment Clinical Guidance/Intervention – for social work teams, social care teams/caregivers to enable them implement recommendations and measure progress.
Bespoke Trauma Informed therapeutic supports for children/caregivers
A number of our senior clinical/counselling psychologists offer direct therapeutic supports online and in person (Dublin/Cork). These are designed on a case by case basis.
Adult Psychology
Services

Assessment Services
Parenting Capacity and Family Reunification
Intellectual Functioning
Adaptive Functioning – (daily independent living skills)
Mental Health (e.g. anxiety/depression, PTSD/Complex PTSD, queries re: impact of specific conditions on parenting)
Adult Autism /ADHD
Attachment (e.g., in the context of Parenting Capacity /Reunification assessments)
Forensic Risk Assessments (e.g. risk of physical/sexual violence)
Safeguarding Capacity (e.g. CASP model)
Clinical Support/Intervention Services
Post diagnostic Clinical support re : Autism / ADHD for children /parents/carers. This is a brief intervention combining online and direct intervention providing psycho-educational inputs, behavioural support guidance for home (and school if required).
Post Assessment Clinical Guidance/Intervention – for social work teams, social care teams/caregivers to enable them implement recommendations and measure progress.
Bespoke Trauma-informed therapeutic supports for Parents/Foster Carers
A number of our senior clinical/counselling psychologists offer direct therapeutic supports online and in person (Dublin/Cork). These are designed on a case by case basis.
Occupational
Therapy

Assessment Services
Movement/Motor Skills (e.g. Diagnostic assessments re: DCD/Dyspraxia, Handwriting)
Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration (trauma-informed)
Daily Living Skills / Adaptive Functioning
Mobility Screening
Independent Living Capacity assessments (e.g., in relation to physical/sensory disabilities)
Housing/Accommodation needs
Educational Accommodations – e.g. use of assistive technology at school
Trauma-informed specialist OT assessment and Intervention Planning
Clinical Support/Intervention Services
Post assessment clinical guidance and supports for children/caregivers/professionals; Goal Setting and Progress tracking.
Trauma Informed Sensory Integration interventions for children and caregivers
Speech & Language
Therapy Services

A Speech and Language Therapist assesses, diagnoses and treats any speech, voice, language or communication impairment or any difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing which is presenting as a secondary issue to an underlying medical condition.
Assessments
We provide a range of assessments, to assess the speech, language and communication needs of children and young people. Our speech and language therapists use a combination of both formal and informal assessments.
Reasons for referral can include:
Delayed or atypical speech/language development
Selective mutism
Specific eating/drinking or swallowing difficulties
Stammering
Support for Gestalt Language Processors
Guidance re: Assistive Communication
Clinical Support/ Intervention
We provide post assessment support and therapeutic intervention to children and parents/carers on request. These are available on a limited basis online or through our Dublin/Cork clinics.
Social Work Services

Our independent social work team have a wealth of experience in Child Protection, Welfare and Fostering services. A minimum of 2 years’ relevant professional experience is required to work with our assessments team.
We provide social work assessments on foot of orders made under Section 20 (Child Care Act, 1991 as amended) and Section 12 (Domestic Violence Act, 2005).
We provide support to Tusla through outsourcing of Initial CPW assessments (IAs) on request.
We also accept referrals from International Social Services who may require assessment of a parent/child within the jurisdiction of Ireland for international family law/child protection court proceedings.
Fostering assessments are also available through our dedicated Fostering Assessment team. For further information call 01-4194944 and ask to speak to someone on the team.
Multidisciplinary &
Interdisciplinary Services

Our multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary services involve senior Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists. The allocated Senior Psychologist serves as the clinical lead.
Reasons for Referral Include:
Child Developmental Assessment of Needs (or AON if referred by HSE)
Differential Diagnostic Assessment re: Autism
Clinical Guidance for a Child’s Care/Support Team
Post-Diagnostic Supports/Guidance for Parents, Carers, and Professionals
Dyadic / Systemic Attachment Assessments – our clinicians utilise a range of assessment measures including:
The Meaning of The Child Interview
Adult Attachment Interview
Child Attachment Interview
Story Stems Attachment Assessments
CAPA (Child Attachment and Play Assessment)
Infant/Toddler Care Index
School Aged Attachment Assessment
Trauma-Informed Global Assessments (e.g. examining impact of childhood trauma on developmental systems and mental health)
Learn More About
Becoming a Foster Carer

Are you currently with another foster care provider and would like some information about transferring to Fostering First Ireland?
Transfer to FFI

Fostering allowances for all foster carers are set by the Minister for Children. They represent the maximum that can be paid by us or other independent fostering agencies.
Allowances & Fees

FFI’s vision is to make a positive and lasting difference to the lives of children and young people. Find out more about what we stand for.