Alex's Answer

Hi and thanks for getting in touch with us here at Ask Alex. 

You’re asking about the process of the foster care system, is that right? Foster care is where a young person (from 0-18years) is cared for outside their home by someone who isn’t their parents or guardians and there can be many different reasons for why someone is placed into foster care.  

Foster care usually happens when a parent/family member asks Túsla for assistance or maybe by court order from a judge. If you are concerned about your living situation, there are different professionals you can get in touch with.  If you ever feel at immediate risk or harm, you can contact the emergency services on 999 or 112, and they will make sure that you are safe.  You can also contact Túsla, who will help to make sure you are kept safe.  You can find local contacts here www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/contact-a-social-worker/.  Just remember that you have a right to feel safe and protected. 

You can read some more about foster care here www.childline.ie/home-and-families/.  Have you been able to speak to anyone about how your feeling at the moment?  It can be helpful to talk this through with an adult you trust.  

You can also contact us here at Childline, 24/7 and we would love to chat to you a bit more about this.  You can phone us on  1800 66 66 66 or by Live Chat at www.childline.ie/.   

Take care and we look forward to hearing from you real soon, 

Alex.