Meet the team in Northern Ireland 

Our work in Northern Ireland is delivered by a team of passionate and dedicated professionals with a range of experience in social work, youth work and education who are embedded in the local fostering community.  

Meet the team

Kathleen Toner

Director, Engagement and Influence

Kathleen Toner

Director, Engagement and Influence

Kathleen is a UK Director and Member of the Senior Leadership Team and the most senior member of staff in Northern Ireland. With The Fostering Network since 2013, Kathleen represents the organisation externally with key agencies to represent the views of members.  

Nikki Gregg

Assistant Director

Nikki Gregg

Assistant Director

Nikki is a qualified social worker with experience in the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors with her entire career based on work with children, young people and foster carers. She is the Service Manager for the Fostering Attainment and Achievement Service, Safeguarding Lead for Northern Ireland and has overall management responsibility for NI programmes and projects.

Jade Irwin

Head of Step Up Step Down, UK

Jade Irwin

Head of Step Up Step Down, UK

Jade is a facilitator and practitioner with specialist experience in supporting children, young people and families in trauma-informed, solution-focused and nurturing ways. She is excited to lead Step Up Step Down to grow in sustainable ways across the UK, so that more families can be supported to remain together. 

Rob Ng-Yu-Tin

Senior Project Social Worker for Fostering Attainment and Achievement Service

Rob Ng-Yu-Tin

Senior Project Social Worker for Fostering Attainment and Achievement Service

    

Helen Ramsey

Project Coordinator, Fostering Kinship Support

Helen Ramsey

Project Coordinator, Fostering Kinship Support

   

Hannah Gervais

Advice and Information Officer, Fosterline NI

Hannah Gervais

Advice and Information Officer, Fosterline NI

Hannah is an experienced social worker with a background in children’s statutory services and the independent fostering sector