#139 Fostering: Opening your Heart, Opening your Home

This episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing explores the real experiences of fostering in Ireland, Noreen Turley is joined Noeleen O'Reilly, foster parent who has welcomed many children into her family home over the last 20 years and Jacqueline Smyth, Tusla’s national lead for Foster Care. Together they explore what fostering really looks like day to day. Listeners will hear honest reflections on the emotional ups and downs, the impact of trauma, and the difference a safe, stable home can make in a child’s life. The conversation looks at the supports available for foster carers, the importance of working together across services and with birth families and clarifies some of the most common misconceptions about fostering and who is eligible to foster children in Ireland. Whether you are simply curious or actively considering fostering, this episode offers clear, accessible information and signposts on how to find out more about fostering in your area.   To talk to Tusla about fostering as an option - visit fostering.ie, call freephone 1800 226 771 or email [email protected].   Produced by GKMedia.ie