What training do foster carers receive?

Foster carer training is a staged programme that prepares applicants for approval, develops the practical skills needed to care for a child, and continues throughout a fostering career. It combines structured courses with supervision, reflection and learning from individual placements, so training can respond to the needs of the children in your care.

Before approval

Most applicants complete an introductory preparation course before or during the assessment process. In England, this is commonly based on the Skills to Foster approach. It helps applicants understand what fostering involves in practice and consider how it may affect their household, relationships, work and daily routines.

Preparation normally includes opportunities to:

• explore the different types of fostering and the needs of children who cannot live with their birth families;
• consider the responsibilities of a foster carer and the role of the wider professional network;
• look at safer caring, confidentiality, boundaries and household expectations;
• understand how fostering can affect other children and adults in the home;
• discuss realistic examples and decide how you might respond to challenging situations;
• identify your existing strengths and any areas where further learning would be useful.

This training is also part of your preparation for assessment. It gives you and the fostering agency a chance to identify questions, clarify expectations and consider whether fostering is suitable for your household. Completing preparation training does not by itself mean that approval is automatic; the agency must still complete the required checks and assessment.

Training linked to the assessment

Some learning takes place alongside your assessment rather than in a single course. You may be asked to reflect on your own experiences, communication style, support network and approach to caring for children. Discussions may cover how you manage stress, respond to uncertainty, work with professionals and respect a child’s identity, background and relationships.

The aim is not to test whether you already know everything about childcare. Agencies expect applicants to learn, ask questions and recognise when they need advice. Relevant experience can be helpful, but training is designed to build knowledge for people from a range of backgrounds.

What happens after approval

Training continues after you become approved. Foster carers are expected to work towards the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers, often called the TSD Standards. These provide a framework for demonstrating knowledge and practice during the early part of fostering. Your supervising social worker can explain the evidence required and help you identify suitable learning activities.

Ongoing training may include practical subjects such as:

• recording information accurately and sharing it appropriately;
• understanding delegated authority and contributing to decisions about everyday care;
• supporting education, health appointments, contact arrangements and transitions;
• promoting equality, respecting culture and supporting a child’s identity;
• recognising risks connected with online activity, exploitation, missing episodes or harmful behaviour;
• responding appropriately to incidents, complaints or safeguarding concerns;
• maintaining safe boundaries while developing a trusting relationship;
• caring for children with additional health, developmental or communication needs.

Some subjects are refreshed regularly because guidance, legislation and the needs of children can change. Other training is arranged because of a particular placement. For example, a child may need support relating to medication, mobility, communication, emotional regulation, trauma or contact with family members. The relevant training should be identified before or during the placement wherever possible.

How training is delivered

Training may involve group sessions, online learning, workshops, reading, case studies, discussion and practical exercises. Group learning can help applicants and approved carers compare experiences and consider different viewpoints. Online modules may be useful for introducing policies or checking understanding, while supervision provides space to apply learning to real situations.

Good training is more than completing a module. You may be asked to discuss what you have learned, explain how it affects your practice or show how you would use it in a particular situation. Keeping a record of completed courses and reflections helps you and your supervising social worker review your development.

Who pays for foster carer training?

Training arrangements differ between fostering agencies. Ask whether preparation and ongoing courses are provided as part of the fostering service, whether there are any costs for external courses, how specialist training is arranged and what happens if a required course is missed. You should also ask how training is recorded and how the agency supports you to complete the TSD Standards.

When comparing agencies, look beyond the name of the introductory course. Find out how the learning is connected to assessment, what ongoing subjects are available, how placement-specific needs are handled and how your supervising social worker helps you put training into practice. A clear training plan should explain what you are expected to complete before approval, during your first period as a foster carer and throughout your approval.