Cork college is first to get Tusla fostering award

University College Cork (UCC) has been announced as the first Irish higher education institution to receive a Fostering Friendly Workplace Award by Tusla.

The award acknowledges organisations that support foster carers in the workplace, ensuring foster care remains an accessible option for individuals and families who work outside the home.

UCC has been recognised for introducing in November of 2024 paid time off for fostering assessment visits and review meetings; two days of paid fostering leave to support staff receiving a child, or sibling group; and/or to assist the settling-in of a foster child to the family home.

The policy also includes flexible working patterns for foster carers and supports for staff — when a foster placement ends or breaks down — via the UCC employee assistance programme.

The award was presented to Professor Nuala Finnegan, UCC’s dean of undergraduate and postgraduate studies (on behalf of the university’s leadership team), by Tusla’s national lead for foster care, Jacqueline Smyth.

Ms Smyth said Tusla foster carers are a “diverse community, coming from a variety of age groups and backgrounds and many foster carers work outside the home”.

“Organisations who support their staff in their roles as foster carers makes it easier for that carer to support and care for vulnerable children and, in turn, ensures that Tusla can continue to recruit and retain a vibrant community of foster carers,”

 said Ms Smyth.

“We congratulate and commend UCC for its leadership in fostering such a supportive and inclusive work environment.”

Prof Finnegan said UCC is “committed to providing an inclusive and diverse work environment for all staff”.

“While there is no statutory right to paid time off for employees who foster a child currently, UCC recognises the national shortage of placements for children and young people in care,” said Ms Finnegan.

“We wish to support the recruitment and retention of approved foster carers to address this need.”