Training and Development

The local authority offers a comprehensive training package for foster carers, with this detailed within our fostering training brochure.

It is important for you to continue to build your knowledge and skills to be fully equipped to deal with the many situations that you may face. The support and training you will be offered will support you to become more confident. This support and development continues throughout your fostering career, making fostering a positive experience for both you and the child/young person. You will be supported by your supervising social worker in identifying appropriate training.

Training will be agreed with you to undertake prior to each annual review. Between your review, there may also be identified training to undertake to support you meet the needs of children, young people in your care. This will be discussed and agreed with you by your supervising social worker. This can also include self-directed training.

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).

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

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.

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.

Training also comes in many forms, you may attend courses but there may also be some on-line resources/courses, books or workshops that may also be helpful.

Your Supervising Social Worker will provide you with a training programme and discuss support to access training. If you are interested in any courses, speak to them, and contact the training team or book on via the training application/brochure.

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