What training do foster carers in Sandwell receive?

Foster carer training in Sandwell covers the knowledge, practical skills and professional responsibilities needed to care for children who may have experienced neglect, abuse, loss or several previous moves. It usually begins with preparation for fostering and continues through induction, placement-specific learning and regular refresher training.

Preparation before approval

Initial training helps applicants decide whether fostering is suitable for their household as well as preparing them for the assessment process. It commonly explores:

• the role and responsibilities of a foster carer;
• how fostering differs from parenting or other childcare roles;
• safer caring, household boundaries and managing risk;
• safeguarding children and recognising signs of abuse or neglect;
• the impact of trauma, separation and loss on behaviour and development;
• attachment, identity and the importance of consistent relationships;
• promoting health, education and emotional wellbeing;
• working with social workers, schools, health professionals and other agencies;
• maintaining appropriate relationships with a child’s birth family; and
• keeping accurate records and sharing information appropriately.

The training is also an opportunity to ask practical questions about the expectations of fostering, including how it may affect family life, relationships, privacy and existing children in the household. Applicants are expected to take part, reflect on the material and show that they can apply it to realistic situations.

Learning after approval

Once approved, carers receive further guidance linked to their individual approval and the needs of each child placed with them. This may include training on therapeutic care, managing distressed or challenging behaviour, responding to trauma, supporting children with additional needs, promoting positive identity and preparing young people for independence.

Other subjects may be required according to the child’s circumstances. Examples include medication and healthcare, first aid, online safety, missing-from-care procedures, allegations, exploitation, self-harm, safer use of technology and supporting children who have experienced domestic abuse. A carer may need to complete additional learning before, or soon after, accepting a placement where a child has particularly complex needs.

Ongoing development and refresher training

Foster carers are expected to keep their knowledge up to date rather than treating training as a one-off requirement. Their development may include refresher sessions, discussions with supervising professionals, workshops, e-learning, reflective activities and learning from a child’s care plan or placement experience. First aid, safeguarding and other subjects may need to be revisited at appropriate intervals.

Training needs are normally considered during supervision, reviews and placement planning. This means the programme can respond to the carer’s experience and to changes in the needs of children in their care. Carers should tell their supervising social worker when they feel they need further guidance or when a placement raises a subject they have not previously covered.

How training is delivered

Learning can involve group sessions, guided discussion, case studies, written work and online modules. Practical exercises are particularly useful for subjects such as safer caring, recording incidents and responding to safeguarding concerns. Training is not only about completing modules: carers must understand how to use the guidance in everyday decisions and know when to seek professional advice.

Training records form part of the wider fostering record and may be reviewed as part of supervision and the carer’s review. The precise programme can vary according to the fostering service, the type of approval being considered and the needs of children placed in the household. Applicants in Sandwell should ask which preparation courses are required, what learning must be completed before approval and how ongoing training is arranged after approval.