Who needs to attend foster carer training?

The people who need to attend foster carer training are the applicant or applicants being assessed for approval. A single applicant completes the training individually, while applicants who are applying together are expected to participate as a couple. The fostering service will confirm whether other members of the household should attend particular sessions.

Training is not simply an information session for the person completing the application. It helps everyone involved understand the practical and emotional impact of fostering, including how a child’s experiences may affect behaviour, relationships and household routines. For that reason, attendance can be relevant where another adult has a regular role in the home or is likely to provide support with fostering responsibilities.

• Single applicants: the applicant must attend the required pre-approval sessions and take part in the learning and discussions.
• Joint applicants: both people applying to foster should attend and contribute. This allows the assessment to consider how they understand fostering and how they may work together.
• Other adults in the household: an adult son or daughter, relative, lodger or another person living in the home may be invited to relevant training or consultation, depending on the household circumstances.
• Family members who provide regular support: someone who does not live in the home but will have significant involvement may be asked to understand key expectations, particularly around safeguarding, confidentiality and boundaries.

Children in the household do not usually complete the same formal training as prospective foster carers. However, their views and understanding can still matter during the assessment. The fostering service may involve them in an age-appropriate way so they can discuss how fostering could affect family life and ask questions. The exact approach will depend on their age, maturity and circumstances.

Attendance involves more than being present. Participants may be expected to join group discussions, consider case examples, reflect on their own experiences and show that they understand the responsibilities of fostering. Topics commonly linked to attendance include safeguarding, safer care, behaviour, identity, contact with birth families and working with professionals.

If someone who is required to attend cannot take part in a session, they should tell their supervising or assessing social worker as soon as possible. Missing part of the programme may mean that an alternative session or another way of covering the material needs to be arranged. The important point is that the required learning is completed and that each relevant adult has had the opportunity to understand what fostering involves.

Before training starts, it is sensible to ask your fostering team who must attend each part of the programme. Requirements can differ according to your household, the type of fostering being considered and the role other adults may have. Clarifying this early helps prevent confusion and ensures that the people who will be affected by fostering are appropriately involved.