Is pre-service foster care training free to attend?

Applicants are not expected to pay a course fee for the required pre-service training. Become a Foster Family arranges and funds this training within the fostering assessment process, so attending it is not dependent on purchasing a course or paying an enrolment charge.

This arrangement applies to the training that forms part of your application. It does not mean that every cost connected with taking part is automatically covered. For example, you should check with your fostering adviser whether travel, childcare or other personal arrangements are your responsibility. Asking this before the sessions begin will help you plan accurately and avoid unexpected costs.

The training is provided to help you understand the responsibilities involved in fostering and to prepare you for the assessment process. It gives you the opportunity to explore subjects such as:

• the needs and experiences of children who require foster care;
• the role and responsibilities of foster carers;
• how fostering affects your household and family relationships;
• working with the fostering service, social workers and other professionals; and
• the standards expected of carers and the support available to them.

Being able to attend without a course fee should not be confused with automatic approval. Training is one part of the wider assessment, and you will still need to provide information, take part in checks and assessments, and demonstrate that you can meet the needs of a child. Completing the sessions does not require you to continue if fostering is no longer suitable for your circumstances, nor does it guarantee that an application will be approved.

If you are comparing fostering organisations, ask each one to explain precisely what its free training offer includes. You can also ask about the format of the sessions, any equipment or preparation required, and whether you may have personal expenses to meet. Become a Foster Family’s team can explain the arrangements for your application and answer questions about the training before you commit to attending.

Become a Foster Family supports 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 across the region to provide local support during the fostering journey.