When does foster carer training take place during the application process?

Foster carer training is normally completed during the pre-approval assessment, rather than after you have been approved. It is planned alongside the other parts of your assessment and helps you develop the knowledge and skills needed to care for a child safely before an approval decision is made.

The usual sequence is:

• Initial enquiry and information gathering: you discuss your circumstances, household and reasons for fostering with the fostering team.
• Assessment planning: your assessing social worker explains the stages involved and identifies when training should take place.
• Pre-approval training: you attend the required sessions and take part in activities that explore the practical and emotional responsibilities of fostering.
• Assessment and learning review: your understanding, preparation and suitability are considered alongside checks, references and discussions with members of your household.
• Approval consideration: any required learning or further information is addressed before your assessment is completed and a recommendation is made.

Training and assessment commonly overlap. You do not necessarily complete every assessment task first and then attend training as a separate final step. For example, training may take place while household checks, personal references and other enquiries are still progressing. What you learn can also help you discuss your strengths, support needs and approach to caring for children during assessment meetings.

The timing can vary according to your circumstances and the progress of your assessment. Factors may include the availability of the relevant sessions, whether other household members need to attend, and whether the assessment identifies an area that needs further discussion or preparation. Your assessing social worker should explain the planned timetable and tell you if the order of activities changes.

Completing training is not simply a formality. You may be asked to take part in discussions, consider realistic fostering situations and reflect on how you would respond to a child’s needs. The sessions give you an opportunity to identify questions and understand the expectations placed on foster carers before approval is considered.

If you cannot attend a planned session, speak to your assessing social worker as soon as possible. They can explain how the missed learning will be covered and whether the change affects the wider assessment timetable. Keep any information provided during training and make a note of questions to raise during supervision or assessment meetings.

Your local fostering team can explain the proposed training dates, what must be completed before approval and how the learning fits with the rest of your application.