Foster Carer Training

Flexible training programme designed to support you at every stage of your journey.

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Start Your Fostering Journey with Confidence

The role of a foster carer is incredibly rewarding, but to feel confident and fully prepared, you need the right training – training that equips you with the knowledge and tools for every stage of your fostering journey.

That’s why, when you join Fosterplus Scotland, you’ll receive extensive training tailored to your needs. From introductory courses to advanced specialist topics, our training is designed to support and empower you to make a real difference in young lives.

A Blended Learning Experience

With Fosterplus, you’ll be part of an agency dedicated to your personal and professional development.

We make training flexible and accessible, allowing you to choose the format that suits you best – whether that’s interactive face-to-face sessions, relaxed virtual learning via Teams, or self-paced e-learning. We even offer ‘twilight training’ in the evenings for foster carers who work alongside fostering.

All our courses are engaging and inclusive, with no exams or written assessments. Our experienced and supportive team ensures you receive the guidance and resources, always tailoring your learning experience to your needs, interests, and availability.

Stages of our Foster Care Training

We offer an extensive range of foster care training courses for every stage of your journey. Whether you’re new to fostering or have years of experience, our programme will boost your personal development and give you the skills and knowledge you need to care for vulnerable children and young people of all ages and needs.

Pre-approval training

We want all our foster carers to begin their journey with confidence and the assurance that they have everything they need to care for children and young people. That’s why you’ll start training before you’re even approved.

As part of your assessment, you’ll complete our ‘Prepare to Foster’ training course. Over 2-3 days, you’ll dive into key topics like child development and safeguarding, gaining real insights into what fostering is really like.

You’ll also have the chance to meet our friendly Fosterplus Scotland team and hear first-hand experiences from our incredible foster carers. They’ll share their stories, answer your questions, and help you see what life as a foster carer is all about.

Mandatory training for foster carers

Once you’re approved, your fostering journey truly begins. Over your first two years, you’ll complete a series of mandatory training courses designed to help you feel supported, confident, and prepared. Alongside learning essential elements of child behaviour and psychology, you’ll also gain knowledge of crucial topics, including:

Safeguarding
First Aid
Safer Caring
Health & Safety
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Protecting Rights in a Caring Environment (PRICE)
Medication & Health Care

We understand that life can be busy, especially when fostering, so we’ve made our training flexible and accessible. Whether you prefer in-person learning, virtual sessions, or e-learning modules, we’ve got options to suit your family’s schedule.

Specialist training to enhance your skills

At Fosterplus Scotland, we’re dedicated to your continuous professional development, offering specialist courses that will take your fostering knowledge and skills to the next level. You’ll explore key topics in-depth, gaining a deeper understanding of areas such as:

Parentification
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Emotional Needs of Children & Young People
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Whether you want to explore a topic that will help you better support a child in your care or simply want to expand your expertise, you can choose the courses that suit your interests. Your learning journey is in your hands, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We’re here to support you

You don’t need any prior experience to become a foster carer – our training for foster carers gives you everything you need to feel prepared and supported. Our expert trainers, library of resources and flexible approach will ensure you are confident and ready to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.

Start your fostering journey today

If you’re ready to begin fostering in Scotland and want to join an agency that puts children first by ensuring they have foster carers with the skills, knowledge, and support to improve their lives, please get in touch.

Our friendly team will happily answer any of your questions about the support, training, and fostering allowances we offer here at Fosterplus Scotland.

Fostering FAQs

What training do foster carers receive?

We offer a comprehensive training programme that prepares you for every stage of your fostering journey. All new applicants attend our preparatory training to gain an insight into the role. Once approved, you’ll complete our core training, and as you gain experience, you’ll have opportunities to attend advanced courses to refine your skills.

What support is provided to foster carers?

We believe in building strong relationships with our foster carers and the children they look after. We achieve this by ensuring every foster carer is connected to the support they need whenever they need it. This includes:

Ongoing support from a dedicated social worker

Regular support groups where you can connect with other foster carers.

A 24/7 foster carer helpline where you can speak to a qualified social worker.

Access to Fosterplus Scotland management

And much more. Discover our full range of support here.

Can children in foster care share a bedroom?

You must have a spare bedroom for each child you foster for their exclusive use. In some circumstances, children can share, for example, if they are part of a same-sex sibling group; however, this must be agreed upon before they arrive.

Will I need to complete another Form F to transfer?

Form F assessments are non-transferable because they belong to the fostering agency or local authority that completes them.

However, when you transfer to Fosterplus Scotland, we ensure that your assessment is fast-tracked, recognising your existing experience as a foster carer. This streamlines the process, making the Form F assessment quicker the second time around.

Speak to our team

Ready to take your first step into fostering? We’re here to support you on your journey…

Enquiry

You are required to have a spare bedroom that’s always available to a foster child. The spare room cannot be shared, and must be big enough to fit a single bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.

Do you have a spare room?*

To be approved as a foster carer in the UK, you must be a British citizen or have the legal right to remain in the UK without restrictions that would prevent fostering.

Which of the following applies to you?*

How can we help you?*

The following questions are intended to help us understand your experience with children. Please note that prior experience is not required to become a foster carer, as full training will be provided.

Have you had children of your own?*

Do you have professional experience of working with children?*

Do you have professional experience of working with children?

Have you had any prior experience of fostering, such as being a foster parent or growing up in a fostering family?*

Have you ever adopted a child?*

Are you happy to receive regular fostering news from us?*

Yes

No

First Name*

Last Name*

Phone Number*

Email Address*

Postcode*