Training for Foster Carers: Skills to Foster and Ongoing CPD

Becoming a confident, effective foster carer isn’t about instinct alone—it’s about structured learning, reflective practice, and support that grows with you. In the UK, training begins with Skills to Foster, the nationally recognised introductory course for prospective carers, and then continues through a clear programme of continuing professional development (CPD). This guide explains what to expect before approval, how to build capability in your first year, and how to keep developing so placements are safer, more stable, and more rewarding for everyone involved.

What is “Skills to Foster” and why it matters

Purpose, content and outcomes

“Skills to Foster” is the foundation course most applicants complete during assessment. It introduces the role, the legal framework, and day-to-day realities of caring for children who have experienced adversity. By the end, you should understand safeguarding responsibilities, how placements are matched, what support and supervision look like, and how allowances and fees work. Equally important, the course helps you decide whether fostering is right for your household and prepares you for panel questions with confident, evidence-based answers.

How the course is delivered

Format, time commitment and participation

Delivery varies by local authority and independent fostering agency, but the core experience blends trainer-led workshops, group discussion, scenarios and short reflective tasks. Many providers now offer a mix of in-person and virtual sessions to fit around work and family life. Expect six to twelve hours of structured learning, usually across multiple sessions, plus time for reading and short exercises between modules. You will not be “tested” like at school—facilitators are assessing your engagement, insight and ability to apply learning to real-life situations.

What you’ll learn in “Skills to Foster”

Trauma, attachment and therapeutic caregiving

A central theme is understanding how trauma and loss affect a child’s development and behaviour. You’ll explore attachment theory in plain language and practise therapeutic responses—listening without judgement, co-regulation, consistency and clear boundaries. Models such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) are often introduced because they give carers a practical toolkit for de-escalation and relationship-building.

Safety, safeguarding and safer caring

Risk assessment, house rules and allegations

You’ll create or refine a safer caring plan for your home. This covers bedroom arrangements, bathroom privacy, visitors, transport, internet use and social media. Trainers walk through real scenarios to show how clear routines protect children and protect you. You’ll also learn what happens if a concern or allegation is raised, your rights during an investigation, and the importance of factual recording.

The practical side of day-to-day care

Health, education and contact with family

Modules typically include health registration, immunisations, dentistry, medication records and how to navigate CAMHS or other therapeutic services. On education, you’ll learn how Virtual School teams support children in care, what a Personal Education Plan (PEP) meeting involves, and how to advocate for reasonable adjustments or an EHCP where needed. There’s also guidance on supervising or supporting contact with birth family, understanding court directions, and managing changes to plans safely and respectfully.

Recording, confidentiality and data protection

What to write, where to store it and how to evidence progress

Good records keep children safe and help professionals make sound decisions. You’ll learn how to write clear, factual daily logs, what to include in incident reports, and how to store photos or documents securely. Trainers emphasise separating opinion from observation and using language that preserves a child’s dignity. This isn’t just admin—your notes often inform reviews, care planning and, in some cases, court reports.

Money, allowances and professional conduct

Allowances vs fees, claiming expenses and working as part of a team

Introductory training explains the difference between the child’s allowance (to cover daily costs) and any carer fee or skill payment, plus how to claim mileage, equipment and holiday contributions where offered. You’ll also cover professional expectations: punctuality for meetings, communication with schools and social workers, boundaries around gifts or social media, and how to use supervision to problem-solve early.

Preparing for panel and approval

Reflective portfolio and interview readiness

Most agencies ask you to bring reflections or short tasks from the course into your Form F assessment. Treat these as portfolio evidence: how your home will promote safety and belonging, how you’ll manage contact, and what support network you can mobilise. At panel, you won’t be quizzed on obscure theory—members want to see insight, honesty and a plan for asking for help when you need it.

Your first-year CPD roadmap

Mandatory modules and skill-building

Once approved, you move from “pre-approval training” to an annual CPD plan. In the first 12 months, expect mandatory courses such as safeguarding refresher, first aid (including paediatric), recording and GDPR, medication management, and safer caring updates. Most agencies add behaviour support and de-escalation techniques, cultural competence, equality and diversity, and working with birth families. If you’re caring for babies, you’ll cover safer sleep and routines; for teens, you’ll focus on boundaries, online safety and independence skills.

Developing therapeutic expertise

From introductory models to advanced practice

As you gain experience, you can deepen your approach through therapeutic parenting programmes, attachment-focused interventions, and training on neurodiversity—autism, ADHD and FASD. The goal isn’t to turn carers into therapists; it’s to equip you with everyday strategies that reduce stress, build trust and keep placements stable. Reflective groups, Mockingbird hub homes or peer mentoring are invaluable here because they turn theory into lived, supported practice.

Education advocacy that makes a difference

Virtual School, PEP meetings and EHCP pathways

Educational stability is one of the strongest predictors of long-term outcomes. Your CPD should show you how to prepare for PEP meetings, gather evidence of progress, and escalate when provision isn’t working. You’ll learn the steps for requesting an EHCP, the roles of SENCOs and educational psychologists, and how to track the impact of Pupil Premium Plus funding on attendance, reading, or social-emotional goals.

Keeping teenagers safe online and in the community

Contextual safeguarding, missing episodes and county lines

Modern fostering requires digital fluency and community awareness. Advanced sessions cover age-appropriate privacy settings, spotting exploitation risks, planning safe curfews and responding if a young person goes missing. You’ll practise safety planning and learn how to work with schools and police so information flows quickly and proportionately.

Contact, identity and life story work

Balancing safety with meaningful relationships

Good CPD explores how contact supports identity, how to prepare a child before and after sessions, and how to record observations neutrally. You’ll also learn practical life story techniques—memory boxes, timelines and photo books—that help children understand their journey without blame or shame.

Building your personal CPD plan

Setting goals, evidencing learning and moving up fee levels

Professionalising your approach is as much about how you learn as what you learn. At each annual review, set two or three clear goals linked to the children you can best support—babies and toddlers, siblings, parent and child, or complex trauma. Keep a simple CPD log: date, course, key learning and how you applied it in practice. Supervising social workers love to see impact statements such as, “After de-escalation training, incidents reduced and school attendance improved.” This kind of evidence often supports progression to higher fee levels or specialist schemes.

Time, cost and access

Making training workable alongside family life

Most core modules are funded by your agency and scheduled flexibly—twilight sessions, weekend cohorts, and online options are common. If you need childcare or respite to attend, ask early; many teams can help arrange cover. Travel and parking are usually reimbursed where training is mandatory. If you’re employed, talk to your employer about flexible working on training days—letters of support from your agency can help.

When training feels overwhelming

Using supervision and peer support to stay steady

It’s normal to feel saturated with information, especially early on. Use supervision to prioritise: what will help with the child in your home this week? Join carer forums or support groups for practical ideas that fit real life. Remember that confidence comes from doing, reflecting and trying again—not from memorising handouts.

The bottom line

A learning journey that strengthens stability and outcomes

“Skills to Foster” gives you the map; ongoing CPD is the journey. Each module—whether safer caring, therapeutic responses, education advocacy or digital safety—adds a piece to the puzzle. Children benefit from carers who are calm, curious and consistent; carers benefit from training that’s practical, time-aware and backed by responsive supervision. If you’re just starting out, commit to the foundation course and keep a simple reflection log. If you’re already approved, pick one area to deepen this quarter and measure the impact on your placement. Small, steady improvements—grounded in training—are what transform experiences and outcomes in foster care.