Learning and development

Fostering is a complex and demanding job; foster carers need specific skills and knowledge to make sure that they can provide the care that each child needs. Like all professionals, they should have access to ongoing learning and development opportunities.

The Fostering Network offers a range of products and services to help fostering services support their foster carers.

Publications

For all of our publications, plus additional material, visit our online shop.

Pathways through fostering series covers

Our series of Pathways Through Fostering are a key part of the continuing development of skills and confidence during a foster carer's first year of fostering.

Order the Series


The Skills to FosterThe Skills to Foster is the definitive pre-approval course for foster carers.
Get the Book

Training courses

Book individuals onto one of our courses now, or call us to arrange delivery of tailor-made training to your staff and foster carers.

Online training

For more information on the Fostering Network's online training programme, contact our training department on 020 7620 6430.

Working with the Open University

Open University logo

We are working with the Open University to offer foster carers the opportunity to develop their knowledge and work towards a qualification. The OU’s unique distance  learning method offers the flexibility to suit foster carers.

Find out more on the Open University website

Funding for foster carer training

Fostering providers can claim £70 per registered foster carer undertaking the Training, Support and Development Standards in England.

Find out more at www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/foster-care/funding

See also:

·    Search our Foster Care Resource Centre for over 7,000 sources of information to support your learning
·    Download our good practice guidelines to setting up a peer mentoring scheme
·    Download our guide to engaging with ‘hard to reach’ foster carers

Find a fostering service