The Report of the Working Group on Foster Care, ‘Foster Care: A Child-Centred Partnership’ highlighted concerns about the quality of foster care services provided in Ireland. Following its publication, a committee was established to develop National Standards on Practices and Procedures on Foster Care. These Standards are based on the relevant legislation, regulation and guidance and best practice derived from evidence based research and professional experience from home and abroad. Additionally, the development of this document was influenced by the inspection experience of residential child care, feedback from foster carers and young people in care, the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, and the outcome of the consultation process undertaken for the Foster Care Standards.
