What training is required before foster carer approval?

Before approval, foster carer applicants usually complete an initial preparation course, most commonly called Skills to Foster . This is a required part of the assessment process and helps applicants understand whether fostering is suitable for their household, while giving the fostering service an opportunity to consider how they engage with the responsibilities involved.

The training is normally completed after an initial enquiry and before the fostering assessment is presented for a decision. The exact format varies between fostering services, but it may involve group sessions, online learning, practical exercises, discussions and written or reflective activities. Applicants should take part actively rather than treating the course as a formality.

As well as learning about fostering, the course gives applicants space to consider how the role could affect everyday family life. Topics for reflection may include:

• how fostering could affect relationships, routines, privacy and existing children in the household;
• how applicants might respond to unfamiliar or difficult situations;
• how personal beliefs, experiences and expectations could influence their approach to caring;
• what practical changes may be needed within the home; and
• how the wider support network could contribute to a stable placement.

Applicants are not generally expected to arrive with a formal childcare qualification. The preparation course is designed to establish a foundation and identify areas where further learning or discussion may be helpful. Previous experience of caring for children can be useful, but training and assessment also consider an applicant’s capacity to learn, reflect and work with advice.

Training forms part of the wider fostering assessment. Completing it does not, by itself, mean that approval is guaranteed. The assessing social worker may discuss participation, understanding and any concerns raised during the course alongside information from interviews, checks, references and home visits. If additional preparation is needed, the fostering service should explain what this involves before a final recommendation is made.

People in the household who will have a significant role in fostering may also need to take part in relevant preparation. This can include a partner, household members or other regular supporters, depending on the fostering service’s process and the proposed fostering arrangements. Their views and understanding matter because fostering affects the whole household.

It is sensible to ask the fostering service before starting about the course structure, attendance expectations, accessibility arrangements and any preparation needed in advance. Applicants should also raise questions about subjects they find difficult or unfamiliar. Training is intended to be interactive, so honest discussion helps the assessor understand what support may be useful and helps applicants make an informed decision.

Pre-approval preparation is only the beginning of a foster carer’s learning. Once approved, carers continue to develop their knowledge through further training linked to the children they care for, their own learning needs and the requirements of their fostering service. This ongoing development is separate from the initial approval training but forms an important part of safe and effective fostering.