Advice

There are many questions that arise when considering whether to foster. Among them, many potential applicants wonder how important it is to have a driver’s license and whether this is a requirement. At Orchard Fostering it’s a requirement for a foster parent to have an Irish driver’s license for a number of reasons. Moreover, potential foster parents may be wondering how important it is to have access to a car, and whether or not their foster children can begin learning how to drive under their

We all know how important getting a good night’s rest is. It allows us to feel our best and be fully present during the day. For children, it’s even more important to get a full eight hours of sleep each night. From cognitive development to mood regulation, sleep has a huge influence on almost all aspects of their physical and emotional health. In fact, children who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to hyperactivity and emotional dysregulation. If you’ve recently begun fostering, you may

At Orchard Fostering, the assessment process is designed with the best interests of foster children and applicants in mind, to ensure a harmonious fit. To do this, it’s necessary to carry out thorough checks and references as well as provide prospective foster parents with all the information they need before embarking on this journey. We know that the process can seem daunting and there’s often questions you don’t even know you have before they come up. The assessment is thorough to ensure that each child

Valentine’s day is a day to celebrate love. So it’s important to show the people in your life how much they mean to you. Although it’s important to show your foster child love and support every day of the year, some foster children may be feeling sad or anxious on Valentine’s Day so it’s a great time to make an extra effort to make sure your foster child feels special. Whether you have a long-term foster child or are providing short-term care, here are some

Developing a healthy sense of confidence is one of the most important things we learn in early development. It enables us to face challenges, overcome obstacles and thrive in all aspects of life. As children grow into teenagers, this skill becomes particularly important. If you’ve begun fostering a teenager or recently become a supported lodgings carer you may be wondering how to help them nurture their confidence and self-esteem.  At Orchard Fostering, we’re here to help throughout every aspect of your journey in foster care

After you’ve made the decision to become a foster carer, an important step in the process is the first home visit.  It’s natural for potential foster carers to feel a little nervous ahead of the first visit but there’s no need to worry. This is an essential part of our fostering approval process to allow us to find out more about you as well as for you to have the opportunity to get to know us.  Whether you’ve already decided to become a foster carer