Team Fostering is committed to promoting the professionalism of foster care. All our carers have access to comprehensive training and learning opportunities to ensure they are able to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to enable them to provide the best possible care and positive outcomes for children/young people on placement with the agency.
Pre-approval
Pre-approval carer applicants complete a 5 day programme of Initial Preparation Training. This is part of the fostering assessment.
Post-approval
Once approved, all foster carers are expected to complete the Children’s Workforce Development Council Induction Standards for Foster Care. Every foster carer is given their own Personal Development Plan (PDP), which is designed to highlight specific training needs. PDP’s are updated annually at the foster carer annual review to reflect each carer’s current and future training requirements. The plan also provides an accurate record of all training and professional development.
Over time, carers build their own Training and Learning Portfolio to compliment their PDP. In the portfolio they are expected to collate ongoing evidence of their training and professional development throughout their fostering career.
The Team Fostering training programme consists of Induction and Core training elements, covering a wide range of subjects on all matters related to fostering eg, First Aid, Safeguarding, Understanding and Managing Behaviour, Healthy Eating etc. Induction training is a mandatory requirement of this agency, and it is an expectation that Carers attend this training. It will help Carers to become more competent and informed in dealing with the issues that may face.
Foster carers are also offered the opportunity to progress onto a Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care. Team Fostering will also tailor a pathway of advanced training opportunities through the Personal Development Plan for carers who work within a specialist area of fostering and for carers who wish to progress onto higher level qualifications. For example: we currently offer a Level 4 qualification in Health & Social Care.
Gill Voase
Training Manager
Team Fostering