Training

Are there any fostering-specific training courses available?

We invest in our foster carers by providing the latest training and opportunities to build the necessary skills to care for children with a wide range of needs and who have come from various situations, including neglect or abuse.

Is there any pre-approval training available?

Every applicant must attend the Skills to Foster programme as part of the assessment process. As soon as you begin the application process, you will be invited to a skills to foster training session. The Skills to Foster workshop lasts three days.

You will have the chance to look into fostering situations and discuss them with the trainer and other possible foster carers, as well as supervising social workers who can talk to you about anything that is concerning you. It also provides you another opportunity to think whether you are prepared to take on the challenges of fostering.

Is there any post-approval training available?

Once you have been accepted, we have a large range of training courses to choose from. As part of your personal development as a foster carer, you will be required to attend mandatory courses each year. First aid, drug and alcohol awareness, safer caring, attachment, working with birth families, and talking to young people about sex are among the topics covered in the courses. You might be given the option of pursuing an NVQ level 3 qualification.

TSDS (Training, Support and Development Standards)

The Training, Support, and Development Standards for foster carers are a set of seven standards that all newly approved foster carers must complete within one year of their approval. This is to ensure that all foster carers have the information, knowledge, and skills necessary to offer high-quality care to the children and young people they are responsible for. Foster carers will be supported in meeting the standards by supervising social workers, who will also attend relevant training sessions.