What training must I complete before becoming a foster carer?

Before approval, you must complete the fostering agency’s preparation programme. In England, this is commonly based on Skills to Foster , although the exact format and any additional sessions vary between agencies and the type of fostering you are considering. The training is completed alongside your assessment, rather than as a separate qualification that you must obtain before making an enquiry.

The purpose of pre-approval training is to help you understand the responsibilities involved and decide whether fostering is right for your household. It also gives you an opportunity to ask practical questions before you progress further through the assessment process.

Training normally explores:

• the role of a foster carer and how fostering affects the wider household;
• children’s development, attachment and the possible effects of neglect, abuse, trauma and disrupted relationships;
• how to respond to behaviour that may be linked to a child’s experiences;
• safeguarding, safer caring and the steps to take if you have a concern;
• working with the fostering agency, social workers, education professionals, health services and a child’s birth family;
• recording information, maintaining confidentiality and sharing information appropriately;
• promoting equality, identity, culture, religion and a child’s sense of belonging;
• contact arrangements and supporting children to maintain important relationships; and
• the practical, legal and emotional responsibilities of caring for a child in foster care.

Training may be delivered through group sessions, activities, discussions, reading or online learning. You may be asked to reflect on scenarios and explain how you would respond. This is not simply a test of knowledge: your participation helps the agency understand your strengths, identify areas where you need further guidance and consider how fostering would work in your circumstances.

If you are applying with a partner, both applicants will usually need to take part. Other members of your household may also be included in relevant discussions, particularly where their daily life could be affected by fostering. The agency should explain who needs to attend and whether any preparation is required for people who live in, or regularly visit, your home.

Some training is specific to your proposed fostering role. For example, caring for teenagers, parent and child placements, children with complex health needs or placements involving staying contact may require additional preparation. Your assessment should identify training needs linked to the age range, needs and type of placement you are considering.

Completion of the preparation programme does not automatically mean that you will be approved. The agency considers your training participation alongside interviews, statutory checks, references, health information, household circumstances and the wider assessment. If further learning is needed, this can be discussed before a recommendation is made.

Training continues after approval. Foster carers usually complete an induction and an individual training and development plan, followed by ongoing learning relevant to the children in their care. This can include safeguarding updates, first aid, safer caring, managing allegations, medication or health-related needs, supporting education, and understanding trauma or specific behaviours. The agency will tell you which subjects are mandatory, how they must be completed and how your learning will be reviewed.

You should ask the agency to explain:

• what pre-approval training is required and when it takes place;
• whether any sessions are online, in person or a mixture of both;
• what happens if you need additional support with a particular topic;
• which household members need to attend;
• what training is expected after approval; and
• how training fits with your assessment, approval and first placement.

You do not generally need a fostering qualification before you apply. The required preparation is designed to give you a foundation, while ongoing training develops your skills as your experience and responsibilities grow. Your fostering agency should provide clear information about its own programme and help you understand any further training that applies to your proposed role.