When do foster parent training hours take place?

Foster parent training hours are arranged by the fostering service and usually fit around the preparation and assessment timetable. There is no single national schedule for every applicant, so the exact days, times and length of sessions depend on the course being delivered and the arrangements agreed with your fostering team.

Training may be delivered as a series of scheduled sessions rather than one continuous course. For example, a provider may arrange several shorter sessions across different dates, or group related subjects into longer study days. The timetable should give you enough notice to plan work, childcare, travel and other household responsibilities.

Some sessions may be scheduled during the daytime, while others may be arranged in the evening where this forms part of the provider’s timetable. The important point is to discuss your regular commitments at the start of the process. A fostering service can then explain which dates are available and whether the full household, or particular family members, need to attend specific parts of the training.

Training normally takes place before approval because it helps you understand the responsibilities involved in fostering and gives you an opportunity to consider how fostering would affect your household. Subjects can include the needs of children in care, safeguarding, safer caring, the impact of trauma, working with professionals and maintaining appropriate relationships with a child’s family. Further learning continues after approval as part of a foster carer’s ongoing development.

If you cannot attend a scheduled session, tell your fostering team as soon as you know. They can explain whether an alternative session is available, whether any missed learning must be completed in another way, and how the change could affect the assessment timetable. Do not assume that missing one session means your application will end, but attendance is important because the training forms part of preparing to foster safely.

When comparing training arrangements, ask:

• How many sessions are included before approval?
• Are the sessions held on set dates or arranged individually?
• How long does each session last?
• Which household members are expected to attend?
• What should you do if work, illness or an important family commitment prevents attendance?
• Will there be additional learning after approval?

Become a Foster Family can explain the expected training timetable and preparation arrangements for applicants across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire. Its offices are in Droitwich and Stoke, with staff located throughout the region to provide local support during the fostering process.