Support and training
Our foster carers do an amazing job and we value all the hard work and dedication they put in to improve the lives of children in Telford & Wrekin.
We invest in our carers and aim to provide them with the support and training they need to deal with the demanding task of caring for someone else's child.
What can you expect in the first year of your fostering journey...
Pre-approval: the first six to eight months
Courses include:
Pre-approval training courses are delivered online:
- information governance
- safer caring
- an introduction to child protection
- sexual exploitation awareness
- equality and diversity
- training support and development standards (TSDS) begin.
Foundation to fostering:
- personal resilience
- introduction to therapeutic parenting
- permanence.
All training is done in conjunction with the Form F assessment.
Your assessing social worker will carry out a full fostering assessment (this can happen alongside skills and other training). Further development training needs will be discussed and identified and support provided.
Regular Nurture Groups
For new carers to network and build links with other newly approved carers.Fostering panel
A recommendation is made on whether to approve based on the information provided by you and your assessing social worker.
Approval
The ‘Agency Decision Maker’ ratifies the panel recommendation. You are now an approved foster carer.
The first twelve months and beyond
Fortnightly visits from your assessing social worker until a child is placed with you.
Before or at the point of your first placement you will be allocated your own social worker. You will agree with them a learning plan and set a timescale for completion of training.
Access to out of hours phone line and Emergency Duty team service.
Support groups for carers and birth children.
Ongoing training and personal development opportunities.
Access to a support worker for signposting help and child care support.
Other benefits
- Support from the Fostering team.
- Regular one to ones with allocated fostering social worker.
- Training coordinator who will put together a bespoke training package for you depending on your needs and offer one to one training support.
- Regular training drop-ins and workshops.
- A fee and allowance for every child placed with you.
- Financial enhancements after fostering for one year with us, dependent on completion of training.
- Strong support networks.
- Option to join Foster Care Association who provide social events for both the carers and the whole family, as well as opportunities for regular support.
- Concessionary leisure passes.
- Membership of fostering network.
- Monthly newsletter.
- Telford & Wrekin Council is a ‘foster friendly’ employer.