The Orchard Fostering Team

Meet the team

We are delighted to introduce you to our team, who manage our services on a day to day basis and are committed to providing the highest standard of care.

The team in Orchard Fostering has extensive experience working with vulnerable children and foster families. We recognise the need for a holistic and therapeutic foster service, where our foster carers receive a supportive framework in order to welcome vulnerable children into their homes and grow positively, enjoying the fostering experience.

Meet our Management Team

orchard fostering agency principle social worker jennifer sinnott

Jenny Sinnott

Managing Director 

Jenny joined Orchard Fostering in 2017 as Principal Social Worker. In 2019 Jenny moved into the role of Director of Operations and has since become the Managing Director of the service. Jenny obtained her master’s degree in social work in 2009. Jenny has also worked as a counsellor since 2013 and qualified as a psychotherapist in 2016. Jenny has extensive experience in foster care and is a member of the TUSLA Foster Care Committee in Dublin North City, this committee oversees all issues related to foster carers.

Ciara Shaw

Principal Social Worker

Ciara joined Orchard Fostering as a Principal Social Worker in 2023 with responsibility for assessments, training and education. Ciara graduated from UCD with a Masters in 2012. Ciara has significant experience within the fostering sector, working within the area for over 10 years.

orchard fostering agency Orla Carroll Principal Social Worker

Orla Carroll

Principal Social Worker

Orla joined Orchard Fostering in 2014 as a social worker and was promoted to the role of Team Leader for Support Services in 2017 and was responsible for managing a team of link workers who provide support to the foster carers in the service. Orla stepped up to the role of Principal Social Worker in 2021. Orla graduated from UCD in 2013 with a Masters in Social Work and prior to joining Orchard Fostering worked in the fostering service in Tusla.

Aisling McKenna

Assessment Team Leader

Aisling joined Orchard in 2017 as a Link Worker on the support team before moving to the role of Assessment Team Leader in 2021. Aisling obtained her social work qualification and degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2013 and, prior to joining Orchard, she worked in child protection in Tusla for four years. Aisling is also an accredited Family Therapist after obtaining an MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy from UCD in 2023. Aisling has extensive experience and knowledge of supporting and preparing foster carers for the task of fostering.

Thomas Birks

Support Team Leader

Thomas joined Orchard Fostering as a Support Social Worker in 2017 before being promoted to the role of Support Team Leader in 2021. Prior to this, Thomas worked in Child Protection Social Work in Dublin and in Newcastle, UK. Thomas completed his Masters in Social Work at Northumbria University, Newcastle in 2013 and previously worked in Special Education.

Niall Kelly

Support Team Leader

Niall joined Orchard Fostering in 2019 as a Social Worker on the support team. Niall remained in this role until he was promoted to the role of Team Leader for the Support Team in December 2021. Niall also is the Team Leader for the Social Care Team in Orchard Fostering. Niall graduated from NUI Galway in 2017 with a Masters in Social Work and prior to joining Orchard Fostering worked with Tusla on the child protection and welfare team.

Jenny McDonnell

Support Team Leader

Beginning her career in Tusla in 2014, Jenny initially worked on the community team before moving to a role as duty social worker in 2015, senior duty social Worker in 2018 and duty team leader later in 2018. In 2023 Jenny took on a new role as Adult Safeguarding & Protection Team leader within the HSE before joining Orchard Fostering as support team leader in 2025. Jenny completed her masters of Social Work in UCD in 2014 and completed a post graduate diploma in child protection and welfare through Trinity College Dublin in 2018.

orchard fostering agency staff team leader social care sabrina mcardle

Sabrina McArdle

Therapeutic Lead/Play Therapist

Sabrina graduated with a BA in Social Care from DIT in 2010, and joined Orchard Fostering in 2012 as a social care worker. In 2013, Sabrina began training as a play therapist and is fully qualified. She developed the social care service within the organisation and was promoted to the role of Team Leader in 2016. Sabrina moved into the role of therapeutic lead in 2020, which involves the identification, implementation and ongoing oversight of additional supports for foster carers and young people. Prior to joining Orchard Fostering Sabrina worked in the children’s residential sector.

Caitriona Carey

Education Coordinator

Caitriona joined Orchard Fostering as Education Coordinator in 2024 to help develop the education service. Having worked as a primary school teacher for 15 years, Caitriona has significant experience in both a mainstream and special education setting. She has also worked as a trainer with CyberSafeKids, delivering workshops in schools and to adults, advising on how young people can use technology in a safer way. Prior to teaching, Caitriona completed a BA in English in UCD and a Masters in DIT.

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