The Fostering Network and Include Youth launched phase two of the Fostering Achievement Scheme at the Armagh Planetarium on Friday 12 October.
Guests at the launch included local foster carers and young people in foster care, as well as social care and education professionals.
Mr Dominic Bradley, minister for Newry and Armagh attended as guest speaker. The local politician said:
"The Government recognises the crucial role that foster carers play in encouraging and supporting fostered children and young people in education. This is why they have funded Fostering Achievement under the children and young people's package which is an inter-departmental initiative led by the Department of Education. The package is intended to reduce under-achievement and improve the life chances of children and young people by enhancing their educational development and fostering their health, well being and social inclusion to ensure every child has the best start in life."
The Fostering Achievement scheme supports foster carers as the first educators and in its first year helped 638 foster families and 979 children. The scheme provided school tutoring, driving lessons, computers, musical instruments and bikes. At the event, suppliers were on hand to answer any questions that foster carers or young people had.
Hugh McAllister, project manager of Fostering Achievement, explained:
"Essentially we want to help foster carers support fostered children to develop life skills potentially towards career development. We actively encourage children to advance personally, socially and academically. We provide means to do so. Our launch show cases the work we at Fostering Achievement do to help foster carers and children."
Foster carers and young people spoke on the day paying tribute to the work of Fostering Achievement. One local young person Kirsty Carberry told how she has received hair equipment through Fostering Achievement. This has provided her with the foundation on which she can do her practical training to be a hair dresser. Her foster carer, Sinead Smith, attending on the day, said that "the event was an enjoyable day for all ages and Fostering Achievement really can make dreams come true!"