What should I ask about a fostering agency’s training programme?

A useful enquiry should establish whether the fostering agency’s training programme gives you the knowledge, practical preparation and continuing development needed for each stage of fostering. Ask for a clear outline of the training pathway, what is compulsory, how your understanding is assessed, and how the agency responds when your learning needs change.

Before choosing an agency, ask to see the training plan. It should show what happens during the assessment stage, what must be completed before approval, and what learning follows once you begin fostering. Ask whether the programme reflects the relevant fostering regulations and standards, and whether it includes recognised preparation such as Skills to Foster or equivalent pre-approval training. The agency should be able to explain how training connects with the assessment process rather than treating it as a separate exercise.

Ask what subjects are covered in practical terms. A suitable programme will normally address areas such as:

• safeguarding, safer caring and recognising signs of abuse or neglect;
• the impact of trauma, loss, separation and adverse childhood experiences;
• child development, attachment and behaviour that may be difficult to understand or manage;
• supporting identity, culture, religion, sexuality and contact with a child’s family;
• record-keeping, confidentiality, information sharing and working with professionals;
• first aid, health needs, medication and other aspects of day-to-day care;
• allegations, complaints, missing-from-care incidents and other safeguarding concerns; and
• the effect of fostering on your household, relationships, privacy and existing children.

These subjects should be explained through the realities of fostering, not only through general childcare information. Ask whether the training uses case studies, group discussion, role play or other exercises that allow you to consider how you would respond to realistic situations. You can also ask what level of participation is expected and whether you will have opportunities to ask questions about situations relevant to your household.

Find out how learning is checked. Training does not need to resemble an academic course, but the agency should have a way to confirm that applicants understand essential safeguarding and caring responsibilities. Ask whether there are written tasks, discussions, observations, knowledge checks or reflective records, and how any gaps are addressed. It is reasonable to ask what happens if you do not understand a topic or cannot attend a scheduled session. Clarify whether you can complete missed learning through another session, individual support or an alternative format.

Delivery arrangements can affect how well you engage with the programme. Ask whether sessions are face-to-face, online or a mixture of both, and whether online learning is live, recorded or completed independently. Check whether you need particular equipment or a reliable internet connection, and whether training can be adapted for disability, literacy, language, neurodiversity or other individual needs. If you are applying with a partner, ask which sessions both of you must attend and whether other household members are included where appropriate.

You should also ask how the agency deals with specialist training. A child’s needs may mean that you require additional preparation in areas such as therapeutic approaches, complex health conditions, disability, communication needs, exploitation, self-harm or managing contact. Ask whether this learning is identified before a child is placed, after a child’s needs become clearer, or both. Also ask whether foster carers can contribute to identifying their own development needs rather than receiving exactly the same programme every year.

Ask specifically about training after approval. Find out how mandatory refresher learning is scheduled, how often your training needs are reviewed, and who discusses your progress with you. The agency should be able to explain how supervision, reviews, placement experience and changes in a child’s needs inform your development plan. Ask how completed courses are recorded and whether you receive evidence of your learning. You may also wish to ask whether the agency supports progression through the Training, Support and Development Standards for foster carers and what help is available to complete them.

Finally, ask how training is connected to wider support. Useful questions include:

• Who can explain a topic after a session if you remain unsure?
• How is learning reinforced during supervision and placement reviews?
• What training is available when a placement brings an unexpected issue?
• How are foster carers informed about changes in safeguarding guidance or agency procedures?
• Can existing foster carers describe how training prepared them for their first placement?

Compare agencies by looking at the substance and follow-through of their programmes, not simply the number of training sessions offered. A strong programme should be relevant to the children placed, accessible to your household, properly recorded and linked to supervision and ongoing development. Ask for written information and note any answer that is unclear or depends on an assessment that has not yet taken place.