Future Learning and Development

For further information on the learning and development with Fosterplus in England click here and for Scotland click here.

Future Learning and Development with Fosterplus in England

Fosterplus provides first class continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that our carers are fully supported and given the skills and information they require to undertake the fostering task.

It will start with attending our Introduction to Fostering Residential Weekend which all our prospective carers and their immediate families attend.

Once approved as foster carers there will be a requirement for you to undertake mandatory,core and additional training. A learning and development programme is published twice a year which gives you the opportunity to take part in Fosterplus courses. As part of the agreement that you enter into with Fosterplus is to undertake the courses we provide. Our current Fosterplus Training Programme is available for you to take a look at.

All new foster carers have to complete the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) Standards Portfolio within the first year of approval. This is not a difficult task; your supervising social worker will support and help you through the process.

You will also have the opportunity to extend your learning by undertaking further NVQ / BTec courses available to you. These extra qualifications are rewarded financially.

Future Learning and Development with Fosterplus in Scotland

Fosterplus is committed to providing a high standard of training to foster carers both prior to and post approval. We understand that caring for children with complex needs is a demanding task and that is why as a Fosterplus carer you will be expected to attend initial training which will focus on:

• What Foster Carers Do
• Identity and Life Change
• Working with others
• Understanding Children in Foster Care
• Safer Caring
• Transitions
• My Family Fosters

All of these sessions will give you a clear sense of the roles and responsibilities you carry as a foster carer but also an understanding of the important and significant job carers provide for vulnerable children and the positive impact good quality care can make

Most carers find training a positive experience and allow them the opportunity to exchange views, ask questions and share experiences. Comment from carers who attended the initial training.

• “I thought all the trainers were VERY lovely, friendly and approachable and gave an excellent training course. I look forward to coming onboard”.
• “…information/topics delivered were openly discussed & debated, giving clear messages and great advice/training on all subject/sections delivered”.
• “All the trainers were very friendly down to earth and easy to approach, making the course very enjoyable”.
• “..very informative and helpful..”
• “The information given was useful and it was helpful & enjoyable to talk to other people hoping to become foster carers”.
• “I was nervous about the group exercises but they were very useful in the end”.

Opportunities for training continue after approval and Fosterplus firmly believe that that carers need to be involved in continuous learning to help them develop their skills. Our training program focuses on the needs of foster children in accordance with National Care Standards and the Getting It Right For Every Child agenda, (GIRFEC).

The safety of our placed children and young people is of paramount importance to us. Carers are expected to attend core training courses shortly after approval.
These are:

• Safer Caring
• Baby and Child First Aid
• Men in Foster care (Male carers only)

These training opportunities provide up-to-date certificated First Aid training, more in depth child protection awareness and a chance to share good practice with other foster carers. There is also a men only training session where male foster carers can share experiences with others with the emphasis on ensuring that everyone keeps safe.

To continue to build on your learning and experience an ongoing training programme is provided including

• Attachment
• Promoting Child Health
• Recording Skills
• Working with families to promote contact.

Carers are supported and encourage to develop their learning and a number of our carers have achieved or are working towards their SVQ level 3 awards in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) and other training opportunities are available via the Open University, distance learning or local colleges. We will also assist in accessing specific targeted training if you have a child in placement with specific needs. Your supervising social worker will discuss your training needs with you and they will always feature at carers annual reviews which enable us to ensure you are getting the training you need to do undertake the role of carer.