Training & Support

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Fostering is hugely rewarding but there may be times when it feels challenging. It’s really important that foster carers are well equipped for the role and when necessary, can be emotionally resilient. At First for Fostering we take training seriously. We want our foster carers to feel supported and empowered.

Within the first twelve months following approval, foster carers are required to complete their Training, Support and Development Standards workbook (TDS) with the support of their supervising social worker. The workbook covers a wide range of essential skills for foster carers and gives foster carers lots of opportunities to discuss issues with their supervising social worker and other foster carers. 

First for Fostering carers are also required to undertake the following training within the first 12 months of  having been approved:-

• Secure Base in Fostering
• Attachment
• De-escalation
• Safeguarding
• First Aid
• Equality & Diversity

We expect all our foster carers to continue to engage with training. We work with therapeutic parenting models and the Secure Base Model; as such these form the basis of much of our training and support. With the support of their supervising social worker, we require our foster carers to be able to reflect, identify their strengths, vulnerabilities and to consider relevant training opportunities.

First for Fostering will provide access to a range of diverse training opportunities, we are keen to follow the needs and interests of our foster carers. We recognise that children and young people are unique, have differing behaviours and bring different challenges. We understand that on occasion bespoke training packages will need to be sought and we endeavour to support these. 

A named supervising social worker  

All foster carers are allocated one of our experienced supervising social workers who will be their point of contact and who will build a supportive relationship with the fostering family. The supervising social worker will maintain regular contact by video call, email, telephone and home visits. The regularity of this will depend upon the needs of the foster carer and the children in placement. Although all our foster carers have a named supervising social worker we encourage foster carers to get to know the First for Fostering team through regular social events and training. We are a small agency who value personal relationships.

Support at meetings

The supervising social worker will attend placement planning meetings, Looked After Reviews and other meetings alongside foster carers, whenever needed.  

Regular supervision and support

As a minimum, all foster carers will receive monthly supervision. 

Supervision will be recorded and placed on the foster carers' records, which they can access. During visits the supervising social worker will check that everyone is okay in their fostering role and will be a source of support for the whole fostering family. Support visits will be regular, particularly in the early period of placements and during challenging times.

A fostering 'Buddy'

Support will also be provided by our 'buddying up' scheme whereby new foster carers are introduced to more experienced foster carers. This will provide peer support and enable a new foster carer to feel integrated with other carers and for the more experienced foster carer to be able to share their valuable experiences.

Opportunities to develop skills and grow in confidence

Experienced foster carers will have the opportunity to be 'buddys' for less experienced foster carers. They will also be offered opportunities to support at the Skills to Foster and support facilitators at other training events.

Paid Respite

Foster carers will receive a respite allowance. This is important to allow carers a break from caring responsibilities and time to reflect. We strongly encourage family based respite but where this isn’t possible we are able to source respite with other foster carers. 

Support groups

Regular support groups are key to ensuring foster carers feel included within the agency and that they become familiar with the other fostering families in their community. Peer support is certainly not a substitute for professional and more formal means of support, but we recognise that making links with other foster carers is reassuring and empowering for carers. Support groups can also provide an opportunity for outside guest speakers to come in to share information and new services.

Celebratory and family fun events 

We want foster carers and their families to have the opportunity to come together to celebrate successes and feel proud of their fostering career and journey. We will facilitate this at regular social events. As an agency we want to create a fostering community that is supportive, visible, and empowered.

Sons and Daughters activities

Fostering impacts the entire family and it is important that support is offered to all family members. Our supervising social worker will support the children of foster carers and be available to discuss any worries they may have. Regular activities will be held for sons and daughters, such as age appropriate outings. We will also use this as an opportunity to gather their feedback as to how they are feeling and any suggestions they have may be incorporated into our service development.

Online access to foster carer handbook, documents, policies and procedures

All our foster carers are provided with a copy of our foster carer handbook and will be given individual login details to our website where they can immediately access shared company documents. 

Meaningful training opportunities

Once approved foster carers will develop a Personal Development Plan with their Supervising Social Worker that will include mandatory training. Further training opportunities will be provided which will be bespoke to each individual foster carers needs. 

Allowances and fees

We pay allowances above the recommended rate and fees which reward and value the professional role of the foster carer. In addition we also pay holiday, festival and birthday allowances.