Fostering and parenting your own children is the same, right? Not exactly. While there are some similarities, fostering is very different.
Children in care are often living with the trauma of their past experiences, which means traditional parenting methods can sometimes fall short and even make things worse. Instead, they need foster carers who have the specialist skills and knowledge to understand where they’re coming from, look beyond their behaviour, and help them feel safe, stable and loved.
One training course isn’t enough to keep up with the ever-changing and evolving needs of children in care. That’s why, when you foster with FCA Scotland, you receive ongoing training to prepare you for every stage of your fostering journey.
In this article, we’ll explore ongoing training in more detail, including how it works, why it matters for both you and the children you care for, and the support you’ll receive along the way.
How does foster care training work?
At FCA Scotland, we have three training stages that help you build your skills and knowledge gradually over time.
We offer a mix of face-to-face and virtual foster care training courses, making it easier for you to fit them into your busy schedule. Here’s a breakdown of each training stage, so you know what to expect.
Stage 1: During your assessment
As part of your fostering assessment, you’ll complete our Prepare to Foster training. This face-to-face training course takes place at your local centre over 2 to 3 days and will cover:
- The next steps on your journey to becoming a foster carer.
- What it’s like to be a child or young person in foster care.
- Fundamental knowledge and skills, so you can begin fostering with confidence.
You’ll also have the chance to meet experienced foster carers and ask them any questions you have about what being a foster carer is really like. This training will help you decide whether fostering is the right fit for you and your family.
Stage 2: When you’re new to fostering
Once you’re approved, you’ll complete our mandatory training for foster carers during your first year. Some courses you’ll complete just once, while others you’ll repeat over time to refresh your learning. This training gives you a foundation of knowledge and skills to build upon, and includes courses on topics such as:
- Protecting children and safeguarding foster carers
- Child protection
- Managing behaviour
- Identity and self-esteem
- First Aid
- Attachment and child development
Stage 3: As you’re gaining more experience
Once you’ve completed our mandatory training, you can join our complementary training courses. These advanced sessions help you understand the specific needs of children you foster so you can adapt your approach to their care. Here is just a snapshot of the topics we cover:
- Working with Children with Disabilities
- Understanding Autism
- Caring for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children
- Complex Trauma
- Bullying and cyberbullying
- Parentification
- Abused and offender relationship
We make it simple by giving you access to our training library, which we update and add to regularly. You simply log in, select the training course you’re interested in and sign up for a session that suits you.
5 Benefits of ongoing training
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of ongoing training for you, your family and children you care for.
-
Grow with the child in your care
Every foster child is unique – they have different backgrounds, experiences, and needs. Our ongoing training helps you adapt your care to each child as they grow, so they continue to feel valued, heard, and understood.
This is especially crucial if you foster a child long-term because over time, they’ll change, and so will their needs. For example, when they reach adolescence, issues like online safety, bullying, and healthy relationships may become more of a concern.
That’s why we offer a wide range of courses that help you support them effectively at every stage.
-
Boost your confidence
Most of us have faced moments where we’ve thought, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ Even if you had some idea, you might have felt unsure or even panicked. As a foster carer, you may face challenging situations, but ongoing training can give you the reassurance and confidence that you’ll know what to do when those challenges arise.
For example, if your foster child is triggered by something in a crowded and noisy place, a lack of confidence might lead you to snap at them or make an impulsive decision. But when you feel equipped and prepared, you can stay calm, respond thoughtfully and keep the situation under control.
-
Enhance your professional development
Fostering offers a highly rewarding career, and at FCA Scotland, we’re committed to your personal and professional development. That’s why every foster carer has a Personal Development Plan, which is informed by your experience and the ongoing training you complete.
If you want to specialise in a particular type of fostering, such as fostering a child with a disability, ongoing training can help you work towards this goal. The transferable skills you gain could also support job applications if you ever decide to move away from fostering and begin a new career.
-
Stay up to date
Fostering legislation and guidance doesn’t stay the same. It is reviewed and updated to ensure it continues to be in the best interests of children and young people in care and supports The Promise.
Legislation includes:
- The Children (Scotland) Act 2020
- Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009
- The Continuing Care (Scotland) Order 2015
There is also guidance that accompanies this legislation, as well as good practice guidance such as Getting it Right for Every Child: Guidance for Overnight Stays for Looked After and Accommodated Children.
Ongoing training ensures you stay up to date with the latest legislative changes and guidance, which not only helps children receive the best care but also protects you as a foster carer.
-
Share your experiences
At FCA Scotland, we run regular local support groups that are fantastic for building a support network in your area. However, our foster care courses go one step further – you’ll be joined by foster carers from across the UK, helping you build an even wider and stronger network of support in Scotland and beyond.
During each session, you’ll have a chance to share your experiences and learn from each other, and our knowledgeable trainers can also provide their advice and guidance if you’re facing a particular issue.
We’re more than just a fostering agency – we’re a community. Our ongoing training is just one of the many ways we keep you connected with like-minded people and encourage you to see things from a new perspective.
Supporting you on your fostering journey
Ongoing high-quality foster carer training is not the only thing we offer here at FCA Scotland. When you join us, you’ll also receive a generous fostering allowance and wrap-around support, which includes:
- Joint therapy sessions and consultations with therapists to help both you and young people understand their experiences and find new ways to communicate their thoughts and feelings.
- A dedicated supervising social worker who’ll be by your side, ready to answer any questions and offer their advice and guidance throughout your fostering journey.
- Access to fostering professionals, such as therapists and education officers, to ensure both you and the children you care for receive the right support
- Our 24/7 helpline, so whether it’s midday or midnight, you can always reach a member of the team.
- Mentoring from our carer buddies who are experienced foster carers and truly understand what it’s like to be a new foster parent.
- Regular local support groups.
- Year-round activities and events for your whole family to enjoy.
- Free membership to Fostertalk.
Enquire today
Ready to start the fostering process? Whether you’re new to fostering or have experience and want to learn more about transferring fostering agencies to FCA Scotland, call us on 0141 646 4805 or submit an online enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch.
