About the Fostering Network Northern Ireland

The Fostering Network Northern Ireland began life in 1978 as the Northern Ireland Foster Care Association (NIFCA) and joined the Fostering Network in 2002. Our members include half of all individual foster carers in Northern Ireland, all the local HSS trusts and all the independent fostering providers.

The Fostering Network Northern Ireland has a small central staff and a pool of freelancers who work with us. This includes regional advisors, foster carers and peer mentors who are sons and daughters of foster carers. We provide a number of services, including:

• representing the fostering sector to the Government and working with them to shape foster care policy
• training on a range of issues
• providing independent information, advice and support to carers
• a peer mentoring project for sons and daughters of carers
• facilitating forums of stakeholder groups
• producing a newsletter for Northern Ireland members
• supporting Foster Care Fortnight in Northern Ireland.

We use the information gained from these activities to influence a number of key agencies including Government, Boards and Trusts who are all involved in the planning and delivery of children’s services, including fostering.