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3.9.8 Training of Foster Carers

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to all approved foster carers

AMENDMENT

This chapter was amended in October 2011 to reflect the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance and National Minimum Standards for Fostering 2011.


The Foster Carer Training Sub-Group identifies the training priorities for each year and then organises training across the county.

Foster carers are given a training bulletin and regular flyers inviting them to apply for training by completing an attached form or return slip using the FREEPOST address.

Where two adults in one household are approved as joint carers, both must successfully complete the training.

Where necessary, the family placement social worker will arrange practical support to enable foster carers to take up agreed training and development opportunities, providing payment for travel and child care costs.

The Family Placement Social Worker’s Role in Training

The role of the family placement social worker in facilitating training for foster carers is paramount. They must:

1. Be aware of the minimum fostering standards for training and have knowledge of training available including other resources. The basic areas that carers need to attend training, or undertake appropriate resources in are:
  • Child Development;
  • Child Protection;
  • Safe Caring (for all members of the foster household)*;
  • Managing behaviour;
  • Promoting a positive sense of identity and self esteem*;
  • Helping a child to maintain appropriate contacts;
  • First Aid;
  • Health & Safety;
  • Preparing a Young Person for leaving care;
  • Life story work;
  • Race, religion & culture in the care of children;
  • Laws relating to children.
2. Ensure that each foster carer has a Training Portfolio (yellow ring-binder) provided by the training section to record their achievements;
3. Check that each foster carer has a current training bulletin and that they receive flyers throughout the year reminding them or inviting them to training;
4. Encourage foster carers to undertake the NVQ level 3 ‘Caring for Children & Young People’ by contacting the training section;
5. Establish prior learning achievements and notify training section of anything that corresponds to minimum fostering training standards;
6. Identify the training needs of each foster carer and their family at their annual review and link to forthcoming training. We ask that they attend 3 courses a year or complete relevant resources. For foster carers who have completed the NVQ and/or attended all basic training, establish whether they have further training requirements and pass the information on to the training section where training may be organised.  For foster carers caring for a physically disabled child, manual handling training is mandatory;
7. Foster carers should receive relevant training to provide appropriate care where caring for children with complex health needs;
8. Support foster carers to attend training by: encouraging them to apply for travel and child care expenses, advising them of what to expect and linking them up with another foster carer if necessary;
9. Identify those foster carers that are unlikely to attend ‘stand up’ training and suggest alternatives, such as workbooks, e-learning, and videos;
10. Support foster carers in arranging training for their support groups;
11. Monitor quality of training by encouraging foster carers to complete e  valuation forms and/or give feedback to the Foster Carer Training Sub-Group;
12. Children's Workforce Development Council standards for foster carers need to be met;
13. Details of the carers' development and training should be made available to agencies where the carer moves.

End