Who needs to attend foster carer training?

Training attendance is based on each person’s proposed role in the fostering household. The named applicant or applicants complete the core preparation programme, while other adults may be involved where they live in the home, provide regular support or could affect the care and safety of a fostered child.

For a single application, the person applying attends the required sessions. If they have a partner who lives in the household, the fostering service will usually want that partner to understand the responsibilities involved, even if they are not applying to become a foster carer themselves. The exact attendance requirement depends on the household arrangements and the partner’s expected involvement.

For a joint application, both applicants need to engage with the training rather than relying on one person to pass information on afterwards. This allows each applicant to understand safeguarding, behaviour, relationships, confidentiality, recording and the practical demands of fostering.

Other people who may be asked to attend part of the training or a separate briefing include:

• adult children or relatives living in the household;
• regular members of the household who will have contact with a fostered child;
• family members or friends who are likely to provide regular practical support;
• people who may offer respite or help with childcare, where this forms part of the fostering arrangements; and
• any adult whose conduct, availability or relationship with the applicants could have a bearing on household safety.

These people do not automatically become foster carers simply because they attend a session. Their involvement may be limited to understanding household expectations, safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality and how to respond appropriately to a child’s needs. If someone will provide more formal or regular care, additional checks, guidance or training may be required.

Children already living in the household are not normally expected to complete the same course as the applicants. However, their age and understanding should be taken into account. They may be included in age-appropriate discussions about what fostering could mean for privacy, routines, belongings, visitors and family life. Their views can be important when the fostering household is assessed.

People in the applicant’s wider support network do not all need to attend the full programme. Even so, it is sensible to identify who the applicants may rely on and explain the boundaries of that support. A person who occasionally offers encouragement has a different role from someone who regularly transports, supervises or cares for a child.

Attendance is generally recorded by the fostering service. If a required participant misses a session, the service will explain whether they need to complete the missed content before the assessment can progress. It is important to raise work, childcare, health, communication or learning needs early so that suitable arrangements can be discussed rather than assuming that one person can attend on another’s behalf.

The final decision about who must attend particular sessions rests with the fostering service and reflects the proposed household and support arrangements. Before training starts, ask for a clear list of required attendees and whether anyone else should join selected sessions. Our West Midlands team can explain how this applies to your household and provide guidance throughout the fostering assessment and training process.