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.

Mandatory training enables foster parents to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to care for traumatised children and helps them meet regulatory requirements at the Three Borough Shared Services. Moreover, it helps foster parents build resilience while supporting some of our most vulnerable young people.

Initial basic training falls into two categories:

• During your assessment;
• Post-approval.

During your assessment:

Your training journey begins during your assessment. Your assessing social worker will provide you with information concerning basic safeguarding, safer caring, working together and the attachment base. You will also need to complete the Skills to Foster Course, which covers the main areas of fostering role.

Mandatory Training

Once approved, the following mandatory courses must be completed in the first year of fostering, either online or in person (First Aid training can only be completed in person).

• De-escalation and Behaviour Management;
• Paediatric First Aid;
• Safeguarding and Safer Caring;
• Record Keeping for Foster Carers;
• Equality and Diversity in the Workplace;
• Secure Base Training.

The training we offer is free of charge and will help you navigate your role in the best possible way.

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.

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

TSDS

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.

Personal Development Plan

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 PDP (personal development plan) update.

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.

Training offer

The Three Borough Shared Fostering Services 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. Support groups also include short training sessions and relevant themes;
• 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.