Training for foster carers

There are some essential courses that we need you to attend within your first year as a foster carer, so that we can make sure you have the information that you need.

During your assessment

Skills to foster

This is a three day preparation course to give you an overview of the various aspects of the role of a foster carer and to provide you with an insight into the experiences of the children in our care. It also provides an introduction to caring for our children and the different professionals you will meet when you are caring for our children.

Essential courses you need to complete within a year of approval

Child development attachment and promoting resilience

This course deals with the stages of child development and shows how children in our care may have been adversely affected by their early childhood experiences.

The course also explores how you can contribute towards improving the child and young person’s self-esteem and resilience. 

First aid for foster carers

This course demonstrates how to provide immediate first aid assistance in a variety of circumstances, mainly involving children. 

You will be awarded a certificate when you have completed the course, which will be valid for three years. 

Keeping children safe online

The course highlights the potential risks facing children within the online world and their use of technology. This is an essential online, safeguarding session for parents,

carers and guardians and is compulsory. 

Level 1 Introduction to safeguarding and child protection

This course gives you a comprehensive insight into the often complex and emotive issues of safeguarding and child protection.

Safe handling of medication for foster carers

This course is to provide knowledge to foster carers on the safe administration and management of children and young people's medication in line with Lancashire policy and procedures.

E-Learning

Prevent duty e-Learning via the Home Office

This offers an introduction to the Prevent duty, and explains how it aims to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

Child sexual exploitation e-learning via the Children’s Trust

This offers an introduction to child sexual exploitation and the signs to look out for if you suspect that a child is being sexually exploited.

Information governance eLearning

This information governance course makes sure that all people working with sensitive and personal data are aware of their legal responsibilities to keep that information safe and secure, and to know how, when and to whom information can be given or withheld. 

We will support you to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and values in order to provide a safe, caring and nurturing environment for the children who are placed in your care.

You will need to complete the Training, Support and Development (TSD) Standards within 12 months of being approved, in preparation for your first review. The TSD workbook and further information is available via the link below: 

TSD standards workbook for foster carers on GOV.UK

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's)

This course explains what adverse childhood experiences are, the impact of them and how children in our care may have been affected.

Essential training to be completed within 12-24 Months

Recognising and respecting differences

This is an essential course, that we will also ask you to complete within the first two years of your approval. It is designed to assist you to:

  • fully appreciate the varied background of children and young people
  • respect and promote each child and young person’s unique personality, social circumstances and cultural backgrounds.

Effective communication and keeping written records

This course is intended to assist you to effectively communicate with children and young  people. It will also help you to keep useful, personal and accurate records on children in our care, which is important for many different reasons.