What training is required before becoming a foster parent?

Before approval, prospective foster parents normally complete preparation training alongside the formal fostering assessment. This training is designed to help you understand the realities of fostering, consider how you would respond to children’s needs, and identify any further learning or support required before a recommendation is made.

The main pre-approval course is commonly called Skills to Foster , although the name, format and content may vary between fostering services. It is usually delivered through a combination of presentations, group discussion, practical exercises and case scenarios rather than a traditional examination. You are expected to take part openly, ask questions and reflect on how the information applies to your household.

Typical areas covered during preparation training include:

• the reasons children enter care and how separation, loss and previous experiences can affect behaviour
• attachment, trauma, emotional development and the importance of consistent care
• safeguarding, recognising signs of abuse or neglect, and reporting concerns appropriately
• safe caring, household boundaries, privacy, supervision and managing risk
• supporting contact between a child and their birth family where this forms part of the care plan
• promoting health, education, identity, culture and positive relationships
• responding to challenging behaviour without relying on inappropriate or harmful discipline
• record keeping, confidentiality, information sharing and working with social care professionals
• the effect fostering may have on your relationships, daily routines and other children in the household

Training is not treated as a separate exercise from the assessment. Your assessing social worker will consider how you engage with the course, your understanding of the responsibilities involved and your ability to reflect on difficult situations. You may be asked to discuss examples from the training during assessment visits. This is not about giving perfect answers; it is about showing that you can learn, think about a child’s experience and accept advice.

Everyone who will have a significant role in the household should be involved as appropriate. This normally includes both partners in a couple and may include older children or other adults living in the home. The fostering service will explain who needs to attend particular sessions. Involving the wider household helps ensure that people understand expectations around privacy, safety, behaviour and the changes fostering can bring.

You do not generally need previous professional childcare qualifications to start the application process. Relevant experience can be useful, but preparation training is intended to develop your understanding of fostering and highlight areas where you may need more support. Be ready to talk honestly about your experience, strengths, concerns and any circumstances that could affect your ability to foster.

Some subjects may be explored in more depth after approval. Foster parents usually continue learning through ongoing training, supervision and development activities. These may relate to the needs of a particular child, such as trauma-informed care, therapeutic approaches, safer caring, first aid or supporting teenagers. The exact requirements depend on the fostering service, the type of fostering and the children placed with you.

Before applying, it is sensible to ask the fostering service:

• what the pre-approval course is called and how it is delivered
• who in your household must attend
• how training fits around the assessment timetable
• whether there are additional courses for a particular type of fostering
• what ongoing training and development will be expected after approval

Completing preparation training does not by itself guarantee approval. The assessment also considers your circumstances, health, relationships, home environment, support network and ability to meet children’s needs. Taken together, the training and assessment give you and the fostering service an opportunity to decide whether fostering is suitable and what preparation would help you provide safe, consistent care.