What support is available during foster carer training?

Support during foster carer training is designed to help you understand the responsibilities of fostering, take part confidently and prepare for the assessment and approval process. It is not limited to attending course sessions: you may also receive learning materials, individual clarification, feedback on your progress and guidance on how training relates to everyday foster care.

Training guidance and explanations: Fostering involves safeguarding, child development, trauma, relationships, behaviour, health and working with professionals. Trainers can explain these areas in practical terms, check your understanding and help you consider how the information may apply in a family home. You should be able to ask for clarification if a subject is unfamiliar or if you want to explore a situation in more detail.

Learning resources: Training may be supported by written information, exercises, case examples or other materials that allow you to revisit key points after a session. These resources can help you reflect on subjects such as safe care, confidentiality, recording information, boundaries and responding appropriately to a child’s needs.

Opportunities to discuss your own circumstances: Fostering affects the whole household, so support should take account of your family situation, existing responsibilities and the type of placement you may be considering. You can raise practical questions about household routines, relationships, space, pets, employment or caring responsibilities. This helps identify any areas that need further consideration before you progress.

Feedback and preparation for assessment: Training is part of a wider assessment process. Feedback can help you recognise what you have understood and identify subjects where further learning or reflection would be useful. You may also be guided on the information and evidence needed for your application, the discussions involved in assessment and the standards expected of foster carers. Training is not intended to catch you out; it helps you and the assessing team decide whether fostering is suitable for your household.

Support with safeguarding and professional responsibilities: Some parts of fostering training require careful discussion, particularly safeguarding concerns, allegations, safe use of technology, confidentiality and professional boundaries. These subjects can be challenging, but clear guidance helps you understand what to do, who to contact and how to keep appropriate records. You should never be expected to deal with a safeguarding concern without knowing the correct procedure.

Adjustments to help you participate: If you have a disability, learning difference, language need or another circumstance that affects how you access training, discuss this with the fostering team. Reasonable adjustments may include changes to the way information is presented, additional explanation or other practical arrangements. Any support should help you engage with the required learning without lowering the standards expected of foster carers.

Support from the wider fostering team: Training is connected to the other stages of becoming a foster carer, including initial enquiries, assessment, approval and preparation for placements. The relevant team can help you understand what happens next and how different professionals contribute to the process. Once you are approved, ongoing assistance and further development help you continue building your skills; training is not the end of learning.

Before starting, ask how sessions are delivered, what preparation is expected, how questions are handled between sessions and who to contact if you need additional help. It is also sensible to ask how your progress will be reviewed and how training links to assessment. A supportive training experience should give you clear information, space to reflect and practical guidance, while allowing you to make an informed decision about fostering.