What training will I complete before welcoming a child in Birmingham?

Before you welcome a child, you will complete pre-approval fostering training as part of your assessment. It is designed to help you apply the principles of fostering in everyday situations, understand your responsibilities and decide whether fostering is right for your household.

The training is usually delivered through a combination of guided sessions, discussion, activities and practical examples. You may be asked to consider how you would respond to situations such as a child becoming distressed, information being shared with you, contact arrangements changing or a placement affecting other members of your household. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and explore the realities of fostering before approval.

In addition to the core preparation already outlined, training commonly covers:

• the role of the foster carer and how it fits with the responsibilities of the local authority and other professionals;
• how to build trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries;
• the importance of listening to a child’s wishes, views and communication style;
• confidentiality, information sharing and keeping accurate records;
• how to work with birth families and support a child’s existing relationships;
• the effect that moving home and changing routines can have on a child;
• how to contribute to meetings, reviews and care planning;
• safe use of social media, photographs and online communication; and
• how to recognise when you need advice and how to work with your fostering support network.

Training is not separate from the assessment process. Your assessing social worker will consider how you engage with the preparation, reflect on the information provided and apply it to your own circumstances. You can also use the sessions to identify areas where you need further explanation or support. This is particularly important if other adults or children in your household will be affected by fostering, as their views and understanding form part of the preparation.

You do not need to arrive with professional experience of caring for children. The purpose of pre-approval training is to provide a sound foundation and help you identify the skills you already have, as well as those you may need to develop. What matters is your willingness to learn, consider feedback and put safe, child-focused practice into place.

Training does not stop once you are approved. Foster carers continue to develop their knowledge through supervision, reviews, further learning and support linked to the needs of an individual child. Additional preparation may be relevant when caring for children with particular experiences, health needs, communication needs or behaviours. You should therefore view the initial course as the beginning of your learning rather than a one-off requirement.

Before a child is placed, you should understand who to contact for advice, what records to keep, how decisions are made and where to find the policies that guide your role. Asking questions during training is encouraged; clear understanding before a placement helps you make informed decisions and seek appropriate support when circumstances change.