Foster Carer Training

Foster carer with teenage girl

Our Foster Carers will be expected to attend core training.

There will be regular workshops and seminars discussing all aspects of looking after children and young people and issues that may arise. Foster Carers complete various courses in the first 12 months, which includes the 6 Module Course based on ‘A Carers’ Journey Through Fostering’. This explores in detail the role of fostering and the needs of ‘looked after children’, offering insights and understanding of children’s needs and behaviours.

In addition, training is undertaken in the following:

  • Safer Caring
  • Safeguarding/Child Protection practice and procedures
  • Signs of Safety Risk Assessment
  • Dealing with disclosures and allegations
  • Equalities and meeting cultural needs of young people
  • Managing challenging behaviour including specific training in coping with aggression and violence
  • First Aid
  • Equality and diversity
  • The 1st Affinity policies and procedures
  • Supporting children and young people who display sexualised behaviour
  • Diversionary strategies
  • Education and health promotion
  • Attachment theory and resilience
  • Mental health and emotional issues
  • Recording skills.

All Foster Carer’s are expected to work towards achieving the QFC Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning Development and this usually requires 18 months study and portfolio based achievements.

We will use our own assessors to support, mentor and evaluate or commission in appropriate experienced personnel.