Training before you start fostering

You don't need to know everything about fostering before you start. We'll give you the training and support you need to understand the role and decide whether fostering is right for you.

Before you can become a foster carer, you'll complete The Skills to Foster training. This gives you an introduction to fostering and helps you understand what children and young people need from their foster carers.

You'll learn about the realities of fostering and have the opportunity to ask questions, share your experiences and think about how fostering could fit into your life and family.

The training will help you understand how to provide a safe, stable and caring home and how to support children who may have experienced difficult or traumatic events.

This short video below shows foster carers talking about the valuable training and support available:

Your first year as a foster carer

Your learning continues after you're approved.

All foster carers complete a core training programme during their first year. You'll also work towards the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care, which help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to foster confidently.

You'll have support from your supervising social worker throughout this process, so you won't be expected to learn everything on your own.

Continuing your learning

Fostering is a skilled role, and every child you care for will have different needs. That's why we offer a wide range of training to help you continue developing your skills and confidence.

As you gain experience, you'll have opportunities to:

• build on your existing skills
• learn more about specific needs and experiences
• develop specialist knowledge
• progress through our fostering skill levels
• increase your fostering fee as your skills and experience grow.

We'll support you throughout your fostering journey and help you find training that's relevant to you and the children in your care.

What you'll learn

Our training covers a wide range of topics to help you understand children's experiences and provide the care they need.

The Skills to Foster training explores areas including:

• What children need

  Understanding children's development, experiences and individual needs.

• Building relationships

  Learning how to build trusting relationships with children and support them to feel safe and secure.

• Providing a safe and caring home

  Understanding how to create a home where children feel protected, valued and able to thrive.

• Therapeutic care

  Learning how past experiences and trauma can affect children, and how you can respond to their needs with care and understanding.

• Supporting identity

  Helping children understand and feel confident about who they are, including their culture, background and identity.

• Transitions and endings

  Understanding how to support children through changes in their lives, including moving placements and preparing for the future.

  You'll also have access to additional training in a broad range of subjects as you continue your fostering journey.

Training that supports your progression

We want you to feel confident and supported as a foster carer.

As your skills and experience grow, you can progress through our fostering skill levels. We'll support you with training and development opportunities to help you build your skills and increase your fostering payment.

You may also have opportunities to develop specialist skills or support other foster carers as you gain experience.

Training that fits around you

We know that foster carers have busy lives, so we aim to make training accessible and manageable.

We'll let you know about upcoming training opportunities and help you find learning that works for you and meets your development needs.

Got a question?

You don't need to have all the answers before you start fostering. Our team will support you to understand what's involved, develop your skills and build your confidence.

If you'd like to find out more about becoming a foster carer, get in touch with our fostering team.