Training
Training for approved foster carers
As one of our foster carers we will give you access to a wide range of learning, development and training opportunities. This training will include helping you to understand and respond to the needs of the children that you are caring for.
All our training is reviewed on a regular basis and includes both mandatory and specialist training. This is provided by both internal and external training providers. The mandatory training covers key areas of fostering including first aid, safer caring and safeguarding. All of our mandatory courses are delivered face to face across Lancashire and we also have virtual courses available.
We will create a Personal Development plan with you during your assessment which will continue to be reviewed annually.
This will include the training, learning, development and support groups that we feel are essential at each stage of your fostering journey and this will be tailored to your individual learning needs.
Check the course list for upcoming dates and to book a place online.
We will pay your travel expenses, you will need to print the expenses claim form and take it with you to the course.
These courses are open to Lancashire County Council's foster carers. If you are from an external agency please contact the Learning and Development Team on 01772 538 474 before completing an application form.
New to fostering?
If you are just beginning the process we provide plenty of relevant learning and development opportunities for you starting during the assessment process with our Skills to Foster preparation course.
We are fully committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of valuable foster carers and our package of support includes a number of exciting initiatives:
- Our foster care academy provides a thorough induction programme throughout your foster carer assessment and during your first year as a foster carer, to make sure you are equipped with all the knowledge and skills you need. For more detailed information about this training please see our foster carer learning and development programme.
- We have a fostering mentoring scheme, where you will be allocated a mentor from the latter stages of your foster carer assessment and during your first year of fostering. This is to provide you with additional support and give you the reassurance that someone is always there for you. Your experienced foster carer mentor will be there to listen and offer advice and support when you need it.
- Our fostering communities project provides local peer support to small groups of foster carers. This helps you, your family and your fostered children make links within the wider fostering network so that your support network is strengthened. The communities are organised by some of our highly experienced foster carers, who are overseen by staff from our fostering service. Foster carers involved in fostering communities benefit from 1:1 support from other carers, social gatherings and informal babysitting that is provided. This support will improve foster carers feeling part of a network of support.
These initiatives demonstrate our ongoing commitment to support our valuable foster carers. We are here for you every step of the way from the very start of your journey and throughout your fostering career with us.
Your social worker will then help you work towards the Training, Support and Development Standards (previously CWDC) for Foster Care through a programme designed to fit in with your needs.
Some foster carers take their learning further and work towards an NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. If so, we’ll help you with that too.
Some training courses are compulsory and some must be refreshed every three years.