New standards for training foster carers in England are a ‘significant step’ towards a skilled and professional foster care service.
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network was commenting on the launch of new England-wide standards to support the training of foster carers, by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) today, Thursday 24 May.
Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care will give employers a framework to guide the personal development of foster carers in the first two years after their approval. The standards will both support foster carers in their roles and provide opportunities for career progression.
Mr Tapsfield said strengthening the quality and consistency of training for new foster carers would improve the lives of the children they fostered.
He added: "I am pleased the new standards have been designed to support foster carers from approval through their first two years of fostering. This will lead to better trained and skilled foster carers."
Jane Haywood, chief executive of the CWDC said:
"Standards are a way to help carers become recognised as trained professionals who have a real impact upon the lives of the children and young people they care for."
The standards build on guidelines set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The framework guiding professional development is flexible to suit the learning needs of the foster carer. It has been designed to make the standards accessible and achievable.
A workbook will help carers record how they meet the standards. No formal qualification is awarded but the standards are linked to the Health and Social Care NVQ. Foster carers seeking this qualification can use completed work as evidence.