Guide helps foster carers avoid pitfalls

A GUIDE to help foster parents avoid being left open to allegations of sexual abuse was launched yesterday.

The guide, Safe Care in Foster Care, advises foster parents on what procedures should be followed if an allegation or complaint is made.

The Irish Foster Care Association's national coordinator, Pat Whelan, said the 56-page booklet provides details on the various pieces of legislation governing foster care.

Ms Whelan, who began fostering in 1980, said foster parents had to be aware that they were looking after someone else's child, who was being presented to a different home environment at a very sensitive stage in their lives.

"If the child is in care because they have been sexually abused, then they may read different things into the simplest situations like sitting on someone's lap or having a hug. They might cause them a great deal of worry because they are not sure if this is not some other form of sexual abuse," she said.

Up to 4,500 children are in State care at any one time. About 4,000 are in foster care provided by around 2,200 foster families. The remainder are in supported lodgings, community homes or in residential care.

Ms Whelan said all foster parents were rigorously assessed during a vetting procedure that could take months to complete. "It has to be rigorous because the foster parents must have the skills to look after a child who has experienced some trauma."

She said the number of foster parents accused of sexual abuse was very small many were unfounded or could not be proved. The boy first placed with Ms Whelan and her husband is now 26 and still living at home.

"Even back then there had to be garda clearance given for foster carers. Similar clearance has only been recently introduced for staff in residential homes," she said.

The guide was produced by the Mid-Western Health Board in association with the Irish Foster Care Association, and launched yesterday by Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children Brian Lenihan.

The board's director of child care and family support services, Ita O'Brien, said the booklet aims to provide safe care in all situations.

Anyone who wants information about being a foster parent can contact the Irish Foster Care Association at [phone].