We do not expect you to come into foster caring as an instant expert, so our training is there to help you learn, develop your knowledge and skills, and be the best foster carer you possibly can. Our modules include practical training like first aid, as well as many therapeutic and behavioural courses that will give you the skills to reparent a child in a trauma-informed way.
We know our foster carers are busy, so we make all learning convenient and accessible. Many of our courses are delivered online or via distance learning, and in-person courses are usually during school hours at various locations across Essex. In-person training is a great chance to build friendships and gain insights from other carers as well as develop professionally.
Alongside formal training, there is a whole network of support available to you if you foster with Essex. You'll have a 24 hour support line, a dedicated social worker and our formal support networks.
Training before you start fostering
Before you start, you’ll attend a course called Skills to Foster. This is a three day training course introducing you to the core skills you need to foster a child.
It’s an opportunity to learn more about fostering and what it involves, and to think about what aspects of it you might find challenging. Alongside Skills to Foster, anyone else in your household can also attend training. Children can go to one day courses to gain a better understanding of fostering.
When you are ready to have a foster child placed with you, we will tell you all about their personality, education, behaviour and emotional and physical health. This helps you decide which areas you want to upskill in and which courses to join, either on our online learning platform or in person.
Training when you start fostering
We do as much as we can to prepare you for fostering, but the arrival of your first foster child will still be a big moment for you and your family. That’s why in your first year of being a foster carer, you’ll complete a minimum of six training activities.
Essex Fostering is rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted (2023), who said
Foster carers and adopters feel well supported in their journeys. They receive high levels of support from social workers and benefit from an extensive training package.
You can discuss the training you want or need with your supervising social worker at any time, and we’ll keep a log of what training you’ve been doing and where you might benefit from extra training. Foster carers need to complete our 15 ‘priority’ courses within a maximum of six years. And supported lodging carers will only need to complete 7 courses. We encourage carers to complete at least three training modules annually.
If you want to specialise in a certain type of fostering or for a particular age group, you can choose training specifically in that area. Training is split into three, equally important pathways:
- Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Parenting, with courses such as ‘Family Time’, ‘Anxiety and Trauma’ and ‘Reflective Therapeutic Parenting’
- The Fostering Role contains courses such as ‘Education Matters’, ‘First Aid Awareness’ and ‘Achieving Health and Wellbeing of Children in Care’
- Safeguarding includes courses such as ‘Health and Safety in the Home’, ‘Autism Awareness Workshop’ and ‘Protecting Children and Young People’
You’ll take courses in each pathway every year to ensure you’re developing a balanced set of skills. We’ll support you all the way to help you to feel confident in your abilities.
Formal training is just one part of the support you get as a foster carer with Essex. You can find out more about the other support we offer.