Training and Development

As a foster carer you should receive effective training and supervision in respect of the specific and complex needs of children, to ensure your placements are more effective and stable as a result.

As a foster carer you will have already completed some basic training and induction.

It is important for you to continue to build on this training in order to be fully equipped to deal with the many situations you may face. The support and training you will be offered will help you to become more confident. There will be mandatory training that you will be expected to do.

This support and development continues throughout your fostering career, making fostering a positive experience for both you and the child/young person.

All new foster carers must complete a workbook which shows evidence of their ability to meet the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care, Short Break Carers or for Family and Friends Foster Carers within 12 months of being approved (or within 18 months for Connected Persons foster carers (family and friends). If you feel that you cannot complete the workbook within the time scales please discuss this with your Supervising Social Worker.

Two foster carers in the same house can use the same workbook.

Training will be geared towards each carer's needs.

The standards cover the main areas of the foster care role and what you should know, understand and be able to do.

This evidence will begin to be gathered before you are approved, through the Skills to Foster course and will continue after you are approved. All evidence will be recorded in a training and development portfolio.

There will be some standard training (core) that you must attend. There will also be further training which may be identified by you or your Supervising Social Worker through your supervision meetings and through your annual appraisal.

Your personal development plan will set out how you will be supported with training and development. Your Supervising Social Worker will also discuss any help or support needed by your own children.

Training sessions are held during the day, evenings or sometimes at weekends in convenient places, and may include online learning. Childcare may be provided and reasonable expenses may be paid to enable you to attend if the training is in person.

The Fostering Service is committed to providing tailored training and support to all its foster carers that is based on equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. You will be provided with a wide variety of training and learning opportunities which are delivered in a variety of formats including:

• Formal training includes formal classroom or virtual training sessions with other foster carers and professionals and specific conferences and training course;
• Online training and distance learning includes online learning (e-learning) courses accessed through the Fostering Service, information that you obtain via the internet and courses run by external organisations. This must be evidenced by certificates and through discussion with your Supervising Social Worker on how it relates to your practice as a foster carer;
• Independent learning - This includes reporting on the radio, TV or in newspapers you have listened to or read. This must be evidenced through discussion with your Supervising Social worker on how it relates to your practice as a foster carer;
• Support groups - Support groups for foster carers provide a valuable opportunity for you to meet with other foster carers, share concerns and ideas and develop your learning;
• Specialist training - the Fostering Service will endeavour to offer training for foster carers looking after children with specific needs where this is required to care for the child or is beneficial to the child.

Your Supervising Social Worker will provide you with a training programme.  If you are interested in any courses, speak to them and complete the training form in order to attend.

If you move to another fostering service, your training portfolio will be transferred if requested.