4.9.7 Training of Foster Carers

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to all approved foster carers

Training
Support

1. Training

1. Initial Training

All stranger foster carers must have completed the initial training through Preparation Groups, before approval.

In the case of relatives being assessed as Connected Person Foster Carers, there may be factors preventing this occurring within these timescales and in these cases, appropriate training should be provided as soon as practicably possible.

2. Ongoing Training Programmes

The Fostering Team will provide a programme of training for foster carers designed to develop their skills. Training events will usually be weekday events but some Saturday and evening courses will be arranged to enable working carers to attend.

Foster carers will be sent the latest training manual programme of in-house training events.

Where foster carers live outside Bradford and/or training provided by another agency is identified as relevant and appears appropriate, the supervising social worker must seek authority for funding for the foster carer to attend such training before the foster carer’s participation can be agreed.

Each foster carer will have an individual training and development plan, linked to their identified needs and level of approval, agreed at their annual review, and discussed regularly as part of their supervision.

Supervising social workers will keep a record of training that carers have attended and identify the carers’ training needs on an ongoing basis.

3. Minimum Expectations of Foster Carers

Foster carers will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and development and to discuss these during visits and supervision.

It is expected that stranger carers will attend a minimum of 25 hours training events/learning experiences per year in order to maintain approval at assessed level of competence. For respite carers, and Connected Person carers, it is expected that at least 1 training events or learning experiences per year will be attended.

All foster carers will be required to attend those courses identified as mandatory, for the type of care they are providing and in line with their level of deemed competency

Attendance at training events will be monitored and evaluated regularly by the supervising social worker. Where foster carers are resistant to training, the supervising social worker will explore possible reasons for this. If there are practical reasons, for example distance or childcare problems, every attempt will be made to find solutions.

Persistent non-attendance is likely to mean that one of the core competencies for foster carers is not being met or that they are not performing to the level at which they are currently being paid .In these cases consideration should be given to arranging an urgent review of the foster carer’s approval and if appropriate under the Review Procedure, report on the matter to the Fostering Panel. Ultimately, this could lead to a recommendation that the foster carer’s approval be terminated.

See Review of Foster Carers Procedure

2. Support

The supervising social worker has a key role in supporting the foster carer and giving advice, direction and assistance to ensure that the foster carer is offering a good standard of care to any child in the placement.

As part of this there must be close liaison between the supervising social worker and the social worker for the child in the placement, to ensure that the placement is adequately meeting the child’s needs.

Foster carers who need urgent advice outside normal working hours or who have Child protection concerns should contact the Emergency Duty Team which operates a service at all times outside of office hours. That team may advise or contact the Duty Manager, Adoption & Fostering who may contact the foster carer direct.

A variety of support groups are held across the area. Fostering challenge /Specialist carers have their own support group which they must attend.

Support groups are aimed at offering the carers the opportunity of peer support and the chance to share with other carers the successes and difficulties in fostering. They are also a forum for receiving current information on issues relating to fostering.

Support is also provided to the children of foster carers and events are held.

Foster carers also receive a quarterly newsletter called Welcome.

The Fostering Network is a national charity which aims to promote and improve foster care services. it provides training, support, advice and information on foster care. All Bradford foster carers have individual membership of the Network, which is funded by the Fostering Unit. The Bradford Association of Foster Carers and Adopters is the local branch and can be contacted for advice and support. (Details in the Foster Carers manual). They have regular meetings with the Management of the Fostering Service.

End