Foster Carer Training & Development Programme

Foster Carer Professional and Personal Development

We are committed to the development of our carers, recognising the professional role which they have within the childcare service. We also recognise that our foster carers have varied areas of interest and expertise, thus it is our intention to enable our carers to develop further their skills through a variety of learning experiences.

It is recognised that each person has a preferred style to learning, thus Regional Foster Placements provides a variety of approaches when considering how to present training. These include: workshops, conferences, 1-1 sessions, online courses and guest speakers / informal discussions at support groups. All our carers have a Professional Development Portfolio and training needs are discussed and agreed through formal supervision.

Training Structure

Skills To Foster: this is full time course running over a week. It provides prospective carers with both theoretical and practical sessions regarding the role of the professional foster carer. It is part of the Form F Assessment and enables the carer(s) or the assessing social worker to discuss further the impact that being a foster carer will have on them and their family. At this stage prospective carers may wish to withdraw from the assessment or may be advised that this could be

CWDC: a workbook undertaken by the approved carer(s) with their supervising social worker. It is a requirement that all foster carers complete this. The workbook builds on the knowledge gained at Skills To Foster, enabling the carer(s) to provide examples of fostering practice to support the theory. Once completed, usually within 6 months, the supervising social worker confirms that standards have been met and the agency Registered Manager signs the workbook off confirming that carers have achieved the required competencies. The workbook is certificated and the content is cross-referenced with the NVQ.

Core Training: these courses, through a variety of learning approaches, provide the professional foster carer(s) with the necessary information, both theoretical and practical, to enable them to safely ‘look after’ vulnerable and complex children. All the courses link with the CWDC workbook and NVQ Award. All carers are required to attend at least 3 courses per annum. The courses currently offered include:
• Child Safeguarding
• Every Child Matters
• Drug Awareness
• Record Keeping & Report Writing
• Inter-agency Working
• Childcare Legislation
• Conflict Management

NVQ Level 3: Regional Foster Placements recognise the value of this qualification, thus it is a requirement of the agency that all carers complete the Award. Foster carers must have completed the CWDC booklet prior to being registered for the Award. It is a vocational award, rather than being academic, thus allows carers to evidence their practice. The course is run through workshops, covering knowledge and providing an understanding of the requirements, and direct observation by qualified assessors. The carer(s) supervising social worker is also heavily involved, providing written evidence and supporting progress through supervision. The Award is usually completed within 12 months (Note: the Award is currently under review by training bodies - further information will provided as received)

Specific Training: These courses are available to those more experienced carers who have either completed their NVQ or have special interests skills. They involve a variety of learning approaches including; formal workshops, external conferences and online courses. The courses are planned by the carer, their supervising social worker and incorporated within the carer(s) annual Training and Development Plan.

Further Professional Qualifications: Foster carers are supported in accessing their own personal and professional development. Support is provided through supervision as well as practical support such as respite. Supervising social workers are also able to provide statements confirming practice of the carer(s).