Training and Development of Foster Carers

Foster carers should receive effective training and supervision in respect of the specific and complex needs of children, to ensure that homes that they provide for children are more effective and stable as a result.

Foster carers should achieve the training, support and development standards in foster care within one year of approval, or within 18 months if they are family and friends carers.

The TSD Standards support the Training Framework for Foster Care, which sets out the training and development pathways for foster carers at different stages of their fostering career: Pre-approval, Induction and Foster Carer Development. The Fostering Regulation 2011 require a fostering service to "provide foster carers with, training, advice, information and support ... as appears necessary in the interests of the children placed with them". The Statutory Guidance on Fostering says that foster carers should be supported to maintain an ongoing training and development portfolio which demonstrates how they are meeting the skills required of them. Foster carers should be able to evidence the fostering Training Development Standards (TSD) within the specified timescales. Standard 20 of the National Minimum Standards for Fostering 2011 (NMS) expands on this further and requires:

• Foster carers to have personal development plans which set out how they will be supported to undertake ongoing training and development;
• The personal development plans are included in the Foster Carers review, supervision sessions that are provided by the Fostering Social Worker will specifically explore the Foster Carers commitment to their training set out in the personal development plan in the review;
• The personal development plans are reviewed, and the effectiveness of the training and development is evaluated; this occurs each year in the Fostering review where foster carers also contribute to the discussion and recording of their training in their feedback for the review;
• That training is available to all foster carers, including harder to reach carers, that assist them to meet the specific needs of children they are caring for; training is advertised through our online training zone, discussed in supervision and included in regular newsletters from the fostering team. It is the Foster carers responsibility to seek out and search for training and put themselves forward, the fostering social worker monitors this in supervision and will specifically ask about progress and attendance to training in each supervision;
• That appropriate training on safeguarding is provided to all members of the fostering household including children who are of sufficient age and understanding;
• That all training fits within a framework of equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
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Foster carers will be provided with a variety of training and learning opportunities which are delivered in a variety of formats. There is an expectation that foster carers will access training provided by the Fostering Service.

• Formal training includes formal classroom or virtual training sessions with other foster carers and professionals and specific conferences and training course;
• Online training and distance learning includes online learning (e-learning) courses, information that foster carers have obtained via the internet and courses run by external organisations. This must be evidenced by certificates and through discussion with the supervising social worker on how it relates to their practice as a foster carer;
• Independent learning - includes reporting on the radio, TV or in newspapers that foster carers have listened to or read. This must be evidenced through discussion and recorded in the supervision with the supervising social worker on how it relates to their practice as a foster carer. The Fostering Social Worker will agree how many hours or minutes that this can contribute towards training hours total;
• Support groups - support groups for foster carers provide a valuable opportunity for foster carers to meet together, share concerns and ideas and develop their learning; Carers should attend at least 2 a year unless soley approved for approved support care), ideally a target of 5 support groups should be attended. If there is a reason this is not achievable it needs to be evidenced and noted down and discussed with the Fostering Social Worker and the Team Manager;
• Support Bubbles are up and running in some of the areas in the County, these are local social gatherings for Foster carers aimed at increasing links with other foster carers and developing support networks within the Fostering service;
• In some areas if able a creche facility is provided to support attendance at support groups. This is subject to availability;
• Specialist training – the Fostering Service will endeavour to offer training for foster carers who are looking after children with specific needs; The Fostering Service is committed to providing tailored training and support to all its foster carers that is based on equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

Prior to the Foster carers being approved there is a requirement for them to attend Skills to Foster training, which can include a variety of content which responds to the needs of the prospective Foster carers. The assessment process will explore applicants learning and experience in more depth and evidence of their previous skills and learning will be included in their assessment.

All new foster carers must complete a workbook which shows evidence of their ability to meet the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care, Short Break Carers or for Family and Friends Foster Carers within 12 months of being approved (or within 18 months for Connected Persons foster carers (family and friends).

Two foster carers in the same house can use the same workbook.

The standards cover the main areas of the foster care role and what they should know, understand and be able to do.

All Foster carers detail their training in their yearly review in their own feedback form and in each supervision the Fostering Social Worker logs their training. This is then recorded on the LCS system as log of the training.

There will be some standard training (core) that foster carers must attend. There will also be further training which may be identified by the Supervising Social Worker through  supervision meetings and through annual review.

The foster carer's personal development plan in their review will set out how they will be supported with training and development.

A minority of foster carers may need longer than twelve months to complete the TSD Standards, particularly in the following situations:

• Exceptional and unexpected personal circumstances such as bereavement, ill health and personal crisis;
• Difficulties with foster carers' literacy/language skills;
• A significant period of time without a placement;
• Complex placement issues such as disruption or allegation.

This is acceptable, although it is good practice to re-negotiate a time frame for completing the standards in these situations. It is advised to check whether the issues can be resolved by looking at different approaches. It is also important for the Fostering Social Worker to look at a variety of ways to support the Foster carer at this time, including more individual guidance or linking with a foster carer mentor or buddy. A proportionate and common sense approach should be considered where circumstances require it. The requirement for all carers to complete the TSD Standards within 12 months of approval is written into the National Minimum Standards 2011, and form part of Ofsted inspections. It is important to keep a record of any issues of noncompliance. The Fostering Service will need to determine policy where foster carers are unable or refuse to complete the TSD Standards.

Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care: Guidance for Managers, Supervising Social Workers