The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published two inspection reports on the non-statutory foster care service operated by Orchard Fostering Service and Fostering First Ireland. 

HIQA conducted the inspections of Orchard Fostering Service on 17 to 20 November 2025 and Fostering First on 24 to 27 November 2025 to assess compliance with the National Standards for Foster Care (2003).  These inspections focused on the safeguarding of children and young people placed in foster care. Placements are commissioned by the Child and Family Agency’s (Tusla) service area teams. 

HIQA found that both services were compliant with all five standards assessed during these inspections.   

HIQA found that Orchard Fostering Service and Fostering First Ireland recognised children’s rights to safety and aimed to place all children in foster care households who have the capacity to keep them safe. Foster carers felt supported to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment. Issues within placements were addressed and support was provided in a timely manner. Children maintained contact with family members and other people of significance to them when appropriate. 

Both inspections found that there were effective policies and guidance in place to keep children safe and protect them from all forms of abuse. There was a strong focus on safeguarding in both services and it was a shared responsibility throughout the services. Staff and foster carers were aware of their role in keeping children safe. Timely actions to prioritise children’s immediate safety were taken in the sample of records reviewed by inspectors. In Orchard Fostering Service, a small number of documents required updating, and this occurred during the inspection. In Fostering First Ireland, the findings in respect to consistent adherence to the provider’s policy were addressed during the inspection. Neither of these posed a risk to children’s safety. 

Orchard Fostering Service and Fostering First Ireland had effective structures and governance arrangements in place for the management and monitoring of foster care services. There were strong systems in place for the management of risk, auditing and quality improvement processes. Any improvements being made to the service were monitored to completion. There were effective controls in place to mitigate against any identified risks.

The approval of foster carers in both services occurred in line with the service’s assessment policies. Foster carers received relevant information, which was discussed with them. Foster carers were comprehensively assessed in line with regulations and standards. Any delays were accounted for, documented and a clear rationale was provided. 
Foster carers participated in regular reviews of their continuing capacity to provide high-quality care. Reviews were completed in a timely manner as set out in the national standards, and were comprehensive and of good quality. Additional reviews were scheduled when required. Processes were followed, link workers held records and oversight was maintained. Reviews included the views of children and other relevant stakeholders.

Note:

• HIQA is authorised by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality under Section 69 of the Child Care Act, 1991 as amended by Section 26 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 to inspect foster care services provided by Tusla and to report on its findings to the Minister and to inspect services taking care of a child on behalf of Tusla, including non-statutory providers of foster care. HIQA monitors foster care service against the National Standards for Foster Care (2003) and advises the Minister and Tusla.