Emergency Statutory Instrument with updated rules for child placements in foster homes signed off on August 21
Anne T writes:
Why would ‘normal foster care’ approvals be suspended? Why would the government be recommending a more ‘flexible approach’ to same. Genuinely confused. Is it a health thing? How does Covid-19 even factor into foster care in anyway?
Anyone?
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Yes, it’s a health thing. I’m amazed the OP hasn’t noticed yet, but Covid-19 factors into everything. I assume (based on common sense) that social workers travelling around the country visiting lots of different households is risky – it’s a potential for them to contract and/or to spread Covid.
From my very cursory reading of the SIs, social workers are obliged to visit children in foster care at certain prescribed intervals. Changes were introduced in May 2020 by SI 170/2020 to provide that, instead, social workers would be obliged to contact (rather than visit) the child at the prescribed intervals and to visit them as often as practicable. The SI also provides that any visit must be in accordance with public health obligations. These changes were to last for a period of 3 months from May 2020. SI 312/2020 increases that to 6 months. All seems pretty sensible to me.
Sounds like you can now order your fosterlings online. “Drop them off at the end of the road, tell them to walk up to number 13, the basement is ready” Captain Sensible loves those little kiddies. Anyway, Tusla is busy, watching box sets.