Open Courses
Courses in date order below up to November 2008.
Court Skills
24 April 2008
Foster carers may often find that they are required to attend a court. For many this is a new, and sometimes daunting, experience.
This course will help carers build greater confidence by working on practical ways of identifying and providing the most effective information for court proceedings.
Competency Based Assessment of Foster Carers
28 April 2008
This course is linked to Assessing Foster Carers – the Fostering Network's popular range of assessment tools designed specifically to help all those involved in competency-based assessments of foster carers.
Role of the Supervising Social Worker
21-22 May 2008
The relationship between supervising social workers or "family placement supervisors" and foster carers has a key part to play in ensuring children and young people receive high quality care. However, the role of the supervising social workers is far from straightforward.
Workers need to ensure the fostered child's interests come first and avoid collusive relationships with carers, yet gain respect in order to help carers develop their skills.
Men in Foster Care
7 June 2008
The role of men in foster care and residential work has been the subject of increased debate. There is concern about how best to work with children who have been sexually abused, worries about abuse by carers, and unsubstantiated allegations of abuse in foster care. The course explores the idea of the "positive male role model" to identify ways in which men can be more effective carers. This course is for men only and is facilitated by men.
This course is now full. Contact Joy Crawford on joy.crawford@fostering.net if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
Men in Foster Care
8 November 2008
The role of men in foster care and residential work has been the subject of increased debate. There is concern about how best to work with children who have been sexually abused, worries about abuse by carers, and unsubstantiated allegations of abuse in foster care. The course explores the idea of the "positive male role model" to identify ways in which men can be more effective carers.
The Skills to Foster Leaders' Course
25-27 November 2008
For many social workers, training foster carers and foster care applicants is a significant part of their job. Many experienced carers are also involved in delivering training. It is considered good practice by most fostering services for foster carers and social workers to combine their skills and experiences and conduct training together.