Fostering Training
With any new role, there will be gaps in knowledge and initial nerves, and fostering is no different! We recognise that you will bring unique skills and life experience to this role and it’s our job to celebrate these qualities, while supporting you with your ongoing learning and development. This happens from assessment right the way through your fostering career.
Unparallelled fostering training
Learning comes in many forms. These include face-to-face and virtual training courses and workshops, as well as e-learning modules to complete in your own time. Most courses are accessible via our Learning and Development Gateway platform. Foster Carers are also notified about other learning opportunities that arise via the monthly fostering newsletter or training bulletin.
Face-to-face
courses/workshops
Virtual training courses/workshops
E-learning modules
Before you're approved
Prior to approval, all those going through the assessment process will attend a two-day Skills to Foster course which takes you through all the essential skills and knowledge you need to be a Foster Carer. This is a great opportunity to meet some of our team, speak to local Foster Carers and get to know other people who are also on their journey to becoming a Foster Carer.
There are also a number of courses you may want to attend before you are approved. This is a great time to start your development path as a Foster Carer and we very much encourage you to speak to your Assessing Social Worker about eLearning, webinars and face-to-face training that might be beneficial.
First year of fostering
During your first year of fostering, you are supported to complete the mandatory National Induction Standards for Foster Carers. The training covers things like understanding your role as a Foster Carer, health and safety, effective communication, and safeguarding. All Foster Carers will also receive First Aid training.
You will be given access to our Learning and Development Gateway where you can find, and sign up to, a wealth of training courses. You will be able to discuss these with your Supervising Social Worker – to help you meet any specific needs of the children in your care, or for your own personal development and to build confidence.
Continue your learning
We have ongoing, regular, in-person and online training sessions available throughout the year – including evening and weekend sessions. In addition to the mandatory training, a range of other courses are available to Foster Carers designed to help you develop your skills and knowledge across a variety of different areas. Some of the most popular are listed below.
All Foster Carers will be supported through Personal Development Plans (PDPs), including ongoing training and development that is appropriate to your needs, experiences and the needs of the child/children in your care. Your PDP forms part of ongoing discussions throughout the year between you and your Supervising Social Worker.
Motivational Interviewing
Enabling Foster Carers to develop good communication skills. This training aids better communication with the children in your care, birth families and the professionals you’ll work with. It focuses on the art of listeing and showing the listener that you care about what they are saying, as well as your response.
Secure Base Workshops
Based on the Secure Base model, developed by Emeritus Professor Gillian Schofield and Dr Mary Beek at the University of East Anglia. This is a highly recommended workshop of six courses sharing practical therapeutic approaches to attachment.
Therapeutic Parenting with PACE
Given that the children we care for have experienced trauma and loss, they are all in need of therapeutic care. We provide training based on Dan Hughes’ PACE model exploring – Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.
Specific and specialist training
As a West Sussex Foster Carer, your SSW might signpost you to training which will give you the skills and confidence to manage specific challenges your child/young person might present. There is also targeted training if you choose to specialise in a particular type of fostering. We've included a couple of examples below to highlight the breadth on offer:
Gamification and violent extremism
Explore the online space with regards to radicalisation and extremism, with a focus on what could make a person vulnerable to online radicalisation.
Supporting LGBTQ+ in children and young people
Gain a better understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity, and some of the critical issues and challenges experienced by children and young people who are LGBTQ+.
Introduction to caring for Unaccompanied Migrant Children (UASC)
Get the knowledge and tools needed to deliver strong family-based care to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), with an overview of how to best meet their physical, psychological, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs.
Training experiences from our Foster Carers
There’s been many different trainers with varying backgrounds and styles and guest speakers including care leavers who have told us of their own journeys and really help you to “walk in their shoes
The fact that the courses are available free of charge seems like a no brainier to me and they’re pretty flexible so that you can fit into your schedule
“We are very spoilt working for West Sussex, there is a wealth of training to help us fulfil our role as a Foster Carer
Fostering Training
We’re sure you already have lots of transferrable skills!
