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 the care they provide is more effective and it offers stability 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 connected foster 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;
• That personal development plans are reviewed, and the effectiveness of training and development is evaluated;
• 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;
• 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.

Foster carers will be provided with a wide variety of training and learning opportunities which are delivered in a variety of formats.

The Durham Learning and Development System (DLDS) holds information for most formal and online training offered by Durham County Council. Foster carers accessing the DLDS can view training availability, book and/or complete training. The DLDS records the completion of training offered by Durham County Council and provides an online training and development portfolio. Foster carers can add to this portfolio with other training evidence (see Section 3, Evidence Learning for further details).

Fostering social workers should apply for a DLDS account on behalf of the foster carer by emailing a request to FosterCarerTraining@durham.gov.uk after approval.

The training officer can also work with foster carers to provide advice, support and guidance navigating the DLDS system, as well as provide general advice on training and development.

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 fostering 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 with the fostering social worker on how it relates to their practice as a foster carer;
• 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;
• Specialist training - the Fostering Service will endeavour to offer training for foster carers caring for children with specific needs where this is required to care for the child or is beneficial to the child.

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.

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 (including Short Break carers)  within 12 months of being approved, or within 18 months for connected foster carers.

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

Training will be geared towards each carer's needs.

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

This evidence will begin to be gathered before foster carers are approved, through the Prepare to Foster course and will continue after foster carers are approved.

The DLDS system (previously described in Section 2, Types of Training and Learning Opportunities) forms the basis of the carer’s ongoing training and development portfolio after approval and records the completion of training offered by Durham County Council. Foster carers also have access to a section in their DLDS account titled 'My Learning Record' which allows other examples of training and development completed to be recorded.

There will be some standard training Mandatory and Core) that foster carers must attend. Mandatory training is expected to be completed within 18 months and Core training within 3 years after approval There will also be further training (Optional training) which may be identified by the fostering social worker through supervision, through annual reviews or discussions with the training officer. Mandatory, Core and Optional training available can be found listed on the DLDS system.

The foster carer's personal development plan 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 child in their care;
• 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. 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