What training do foster carers receive?

Foster carer training is a continuing programme of learning that helps carers meet a child’s changing needs, make informed decisions and work effectively with the wider care team. It begins before approval and continues through induction, placement support, reviews and further development.

After approval, training is usually shaped around the ages, experiences and needs of the children placed with you. Your supervising social worker will help identify learning needs and agree a development plan. This means training is not simply a one-off course; it is linked to your practice and the situations you may encounter as a foster carer.

Common areas of ongoing learning include:

• understanding attachment, loss and the effects of adverse experiences;
• supporting emotional wellbeing, behaviour and positive relationships;
• promoting equality, identity, culture, religion and a child’s sense of belonging;
• helping children communicate their views and participate in decisions about their lives;
• supporting education, health needs and independence skills;
• managing allegations, complaints, confidentiality and professional boundaries;
• using recording and information-sharing procedures correctly; and
• preparing children for transitions, including changes in placement or moving towards independence.

Some learning is relevant to every foster carer, while other training depends on the child in your care. For example, you may be offered additional guidance when caring for a baby, teenagers, siblings, children with disabilities or children whose needs require specialist support. Training can also be updated when legislation, safeguarding guidance or local procedures change.

Foster carers in England work towards the Training, Support and Development standards. These standards cover the knowledge and practical skills expected in fostering, including understanding your role, promoting a child’s development, keeping children safe, working with others and reflecting on your practice. Evidence may be gathered through discussions with your supervising social worker, written reflections, training records and examples from day-to-day fostering.

Training can be delivered in different ways, depending on the subject and your learning needs. This may include group sessions, online learning, discussions with social workers, practical exercises, reading, supervised activities and learning from other foster carers. You will also receive guidance on applying what you have learned to a child’s individual care plan and routines.

Training is connected to regular supervision and reviews. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss what is going well, identify any concerns, consider the impact of a placement on your household and agree further learning. You can ask questions about a child’s needs and request clarification whenever you are unsure how to respond to a situation.

People in your household may also need to understand their role. Depending on their age and involvement, they may be included in discussions about fostering, safe boundaries, privacy, behaviour and how to respond when a child is upset. Foster carers are expected to keep their knowledge current, attend required learning and be open about areas where more support or training would be useful.

Before applying, it is sensible to ask the fostering service what its training programme covers, which courses are required, how learning is recorded and what support is available when a placement presents an unfamiliar situation. These details will help you understand the commitment involved and decide whether fostering fits with your circumstances.