Our training programme

Our training programme is designed to support you and your support network to develop personally and professionally. While not all courses are mandatory, we strongly encourage you to take part whenever possible.

Training is delivered through a mix of face-to-face sessions, virtual sessions, and self-directed online learning to ensure access for as many carers as possible.

You can also find our training programme information in our Training Programme brochure (PDF, 1.15MB). This PDF is not fully accessible. If you need this information in a different format, contact [email protected].

Training opportunities

In addition to Camden’s in-house programme, you have access to a wide range of learning opportunities, including:

  • Self-directed online training via Knowledge Change and Action (KCA)
  • External training providers
  • Camden Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (CSCP)
  • North London Consortium
  • Camden Council Virtual School
  • Expert Independent Trainers
  • The Fostering Network

Webinars, videos, and recommended books and resources are also available and may count towards your learning and development.

Planning your training

Discuss your training needs with your Supervising Social Worker (SSW), who will support you to identify appropriate learning opportunities. For foster carers, your Personal Development Plan records your learning and development needs. Any recommendations from your fostering assessment, annual review, or PDP should be prioritised when selecting training. If you are unsure which course to book, please contact [email protected] for advice.

Support to attend training

If your usual support network is unavailable, foster carers and Special Guardians should speak with their SSW, who may be able to help facilitate attendance. If there are any barriers to attending training such as childcare or caring responsibilities, discuss these with your SSW in advance so that appropriate support can be considered.

Refreshments

Tea and coffee will be provided at all face-to-face training sessions. Lunch will be provided at some sessions; where this applies, it will be clearly stated in the course information.

Booking training

All courses are open to foster carers, kinship carers and members of their support networks.

Weekly newsletters include reminders of upcoming training and booking opportunities.

Please read training registration emails carefully, as dates, times, and venues may change from those originally published in this brochure.

How to sign up for training

Training is booked on a self-sign-up basis via the Camden Learning Portal. If you wish to take part in training sessions, speak with you supervising social worker, who will be happy to support you.

Attendance

Once you receive an email confirming your place on a course, you are expected to attend. Full attendance is required to be recorded as having attended the course. On successful completion, you will receive a certificate.

Cancellations

We understand that exceptional circumstances may arise. If you are unable to attend, notify us as soon as possible by emailing [email protected], copying in your SSW.

Virtual training rules

For virtual sessions, joining links will be emailed to registered attendees only shortly before the session. These links must not be shared. To ensure a safe, respectful, and effective learning environment, follow these rules:

  • join on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will not be recorded as present
  • choose a private, quiet space. Sensitive information may be discussed; virtual sessions should be treated as confidential spaces
  • test your technology in advance. Check your camera and audio before joining
  • keep your camera on throughout the session. This is a shared group process, and full participation is required. If your camera is not on, you will not be recorded as present
  • mute your microphone unless you are speaking or contributing
  • be respectful. Listen to others and allow everyone the opportunity to contribute
  • maintain confidentiality at all times

Updates and feedback

You can find details of upcoming training on our website or in the weekly newsletter.

We value your feedback and use it to continuously improve our training offer. Take a few minutes to complete the feedback following each session.