Fostering and cohabiting couples
Information
When a child needs care or protection, or when they cannot live with their own family either on a short- or long-term basis, they may be taken into care by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The reason for taking a child into care could be illness in the family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home. Sometimes, it could be an economic reason, like unemployment.
The HSE will decide on the type of care that the child should be given, having regard to the "best interests" of the child. One of the options available to the HSE Area is to place the child with a foster parent or foster family. A foster parent is a person who is taking care of the child on behalf of the HSE.
Rules
Young people up to the age of 18 can be fostered.
Any person or family can apply to the HSE to be assessed as a foster parent or foster family. You do not have to be married to be a foster parent. In fact, you could be a single person, a cohabiting same-sex or opposite sex couple or a civil partnership. You must be able to provide adequate and appropriate accommodation for the foster child. There is a shortage of foster parents and new applications and enquiries are always welcome.
The HSE assigns a social worker to carry out an assessment of your suitability. These assessments include meeting all members of the family (particularly the foster parents) over a number of months. References, Garda clearance and medical examinations will also be required as part of this process. Every effort is made to ensure that those selected as foster carers and foster families are suitable.
You can read more detailed information about the types of foster care, rules, etc. in our document on fostering in Ireland.
Language
Related Documents
- Fostering
There are currently about 4,500 children in foster care in Ireland. Find out about fostering in Ireland and how you can become involved. - Relationships and your rights in Ireland
Information on your legal and civil rights in relationships with a focus on cohabiting relationships, marriage, the status of same-sex relationships and the rights of grandparents. - Children in care
The primary legislation regulating child care policy is the Child Care Act 1991 which brought in considerable changes in relation to children in care. Find out more here
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.