Pre-approval training (Skills to Foster)
Skills to Foster is a core preparation course designed to support prospective foster carers and kinship carers. It provides a clear and realistic understanding of the foster carer role, what to expect, and how to prepare for the responsibilities and rewards of fostering.
The course is delivered as a shared resource with the North London Consortium, bringing together carers from across North London to learn, reflect and share experiences.
As a shared programme, one Skills to Foster course runs each month, giving carers regular opportunities to attend. The course is 6 sessions delivered over 3 days and aims to prepare carers for the different stages of their fostering journey, from welcoming a child into their home to working confidently as part of a wider professional network.
Skills to Foster is an essential foundation for fostering, offering carers the opportunity to build knowledge, confidence and connections with others starting their fostering journey.
Who can do it
Skills to Foster Training is for pre-approved and temporarily approved foster carers.
What it covers
Session 1: What foster carers do
- To consider the role and responsibilities of foster carers
- To explain why children come into foster care
- To explore how children’s development may be affected by their previous experiences
Session 2: Identity and life chances
- To understand the concept of identity
- To explore how experiences, culture and background shape identity
- To understand the foster carer’s role in helping children develop a positive sense of identity and belonging
Session 3: Working together
- To consider how foster carers work as part of the team around the child
- To outline the legal and planning framework for children in foster care
- To consider contact arrangements for children
- To introduce the concept of confidentiality
Session 4: Understanding children’s behaviour
- To explore why children in foster care may display challenging behaviour
- To consider how past experiences and trauma can affect behaviour
- To identify positive, supportive responses to behaviour
Session 5: Caring for children safely
- To consider how to keep children safe and promote their wellbeing
- To understand safer caring and managing risk in everyday situations
- To reflect on the impact of fostering on the whole household
Session 6: Moving forward as a foster carer
- To reflect on learning from the course
- To consider next steps in the fostering journey
- To build confidence and readiness for fostering