A couple who foster children say it can be 'heartbreaking' to say goodbye to them but they know they've made a difference in their lives.
Suzy and Christina have fostered seven children over the last number of years at their home in the Midlands.
It comes amid increased demand and need for foster carers in Ireland.
Christina told Lunchtime Live they are used to being around children.
"Back in 2017 we started exploring the world of fostering - it started by going to an information session in a local hotel," she said.
"We spoke with foster carers, we spoke with social workers; I'd done a lot of reading and research as well.
"We knew for our own reasons we weren't going to be able to have our own kids.
"We were cub leaders at the time as well so we knew that we enjoyed hanging around with kids.
"We thought, 'If we can look after 30 of them on a weekend camping, I'm surer we'll be well able to look after one or two in our own home'".
'They didn't have anything with them'
Christina said they made inquiries with the Orchard Fostering agency "and it just went from there".
Suzy said that have welcomed a lot of children into their home.
"The first experience we had was a placement on an emergency basis; it was two brothers that needed emergency care for a couple of weeks," she said.
"Needless to say nerves are high, it's exciting, it's nervous but we had two lovely boys who are nine and 15.
"They were picked up from school [and] they didn't have anything with them - only a pair of boxing gloves and their schoolbags.
"So that in itself was challenging - luckily we live close to a Tesco, it was open till 11pm, so we could get the bare essentials like underwear, socks and clean t-shirts".
'A brilliant ice-breaker'
Suzy said the older boy they fostered has since reached out to thank them.
"They were very appreciative," she said.
"The Christmas after they had left us we got a message form the older boy thanking us for what we'd done for them in the two weeks they were with us.
"Those two boys stayed for two weeks and then they were returned home because mum was in a position to look after them".
Suzy said the first placement was "exciting but challenging".
"We've worked out, especially with kids in a cub setting, food is always a brilliant ice-breaker," she said.
"Once you find out what they like to eat then you work on their activities.
"They came with boxing gloves so we enrolled them in our local boxing club that's pay as you go."
'They know what to expect'
Suzy said the arrangements meant the boys had a routine "straight away".
"From our experience from the seven different children we've had routine is vital, they thrive on it," he said.
"They know what to expect next - they know that once I have my hot chocolate I'm off to bed.
"You don't deviate much off of the routine unless you have pre-warned [the children]... you need to let them know what's coming next and what's happening next."
Suzy said such an approach helps to build trust when fostering.
"You build that trust by saying, 'This is what we're going to do now and this is what's next' or 'This is the plan for this weekend'.
"You go through your list and they can say, 'OK, she's done what she said she was going to do'.
"That can be the most challenging".
'Once they feel safe they open up'
Suzy said it can take weeks or even months before "you see the child relaxing, taking a breath and being themselves."
"You've built up the routine, you've built up the trust so they know they're safe with you," she said.
"Once they feel safe is when they open up".
Christina said the fostering process can take some time.
"When you start up you're assigned an assessing social worker and they come out and you've got an awful lot of visits to go through," she said.
"Our assessment took roughly six months - I think they're working n trying to get it a bit quicker, I think it can be quicker.
"Everything is brought up; you have to do an assessment of your own parents parenting style.
"You have to go through your past relationships... basically no stone is left unturned.
"Yet during that process you do learn a lot about each other because it's questions you wouldn't even think of asking somebody.
"But it's all very necessary".
'Absolutely heartbreaking'
Recalling the two brothers who first came into their home, Christina said it can be very hard to say goodbye.
"It was absolutely heartbreaking when we had to say goodbye," she said.
"I remember that morning vividly because we had to pack up their stuff and they went on a bus off to school.
"It was a dark January morning and the two of them looking out the bus window waving and crying.
"That never leaves you and you know that you made a difference," she added.
In 2022, 556 children entered foster care for the first time with 228 new foster carers providing them with homes.
You can find out more information on Orchard Fostering here
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