Training & support for prospective carers

Prospective foster carers do not need any prior training, qualifications or formal education. What you need is a big heart, time, compassion and a willingness to learn. Your local fostering team will support you with all the training and guidance you need.

This begins early, to help you get more of a sense of what ‘real life’ fostering is all about and continues through your fostering journey, helping you to upskill and become confident and knowledgable in the care and support you provide to children in your care.

Skills to Foster

Getting you ready for fostering

Skills to Foster is a welcoming preparation course designed to help you understand what fostering is really like and to build your confidence before a child comes to live with you. It creates a safe space to learn, ask questions, and explore the practical and emotional aspects of fostering alongside other people on a similar journey.

During the course, you’ll look at topics such as attachment, children’s behaviour, safeguarding, and working with birth families. These sessions are about understanding children’s experiences, reflecting on everyday family life, and thinking together about how fostering might work in your own home.

Why it’s important

Skills to Foster helps you feel informed, prepared, and supported. It gives you time to reflect on fostering in a realistic way, hear different perspectives, and begin developing the skills that foster carers use every day. Many people find it reassuring to talk things through before fostering begins and to know what support is available.

How it works

You’ll be offered course dates and supported with booking, travel advice, and practical arrangements. If you’re unable to attend a particular session, an alternative date will be arranged so you can take part without unnecessary pressure. Sessions may be held in person or online, depending on availability.

What to expect

The sessions are relaxed and interactive, with opportunities to share experiences, listen to others, and ask questions. You’re encouraged to reflect on your household, routines, and support networks, and to take away learning that feels useful and relevant to you as you move forward.

Peer support programme

It’s important you always feel supported during this process. Local Community Fostering offers each foster carer applicant the chance to pair up with an experienced foster carer, who understands the challenges and rewards involved with fostering.

Whether you’re new to fostering or transferring to one of your local councils, your foster buddy can check in and give you a good insight into what it is like to be part of a local council fostering family.

We can pair you up with a buddy at any stage of the fostering application process, usually from the start of the Assessment stage. So, whenever you think you need it, your buddy will be there to support, guide and reassure you.

Additional courses

A range of further training is also available, both online and in person to suit different needs and schedules. Details will be provided by your fostering service.

To find out about how your Council supports foster carers, click the logos below

We’re the choice for people from all backgrounds—single, coupled up, LGBTQ+, renting, or owning—who want to open their hearts and homes to local children and become part of a loved local community.

Fill out this short form and one of our team will reach out for an open and honest chat. Or feel free to call us on 020 8496 3437 or email hello@localcommunityfostering.co.uk.

You’re more ready than you think.

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