Sure Start Fostering realises that the quality of our support has an effect on the quality of care our carers can provide.
Sure Start Fostering realises that the quality of our support has an effect on the quality of care our carers can provide.
Initially, we will help you make the right decisions about fostering, from the types of fostering you may be suitable for, through to whether fostering is actually right for you, your home and those already in your life.
We understand that fostering can be a daunting prospect when you’re first considering the options and starting out. This is why we place great emphasis on helping you through this time, providing you with the information and support you need to make informed choices. Becoming a foster carer is a life-changing decision and we need to make sure you understand what is expected in your new role.
Once you have been approved and have started fostering, your supervising social worker will visit you at least once a month – more often if needed – to discuss your foster placement and any extra support you may need. They will also call each week to ask how things are going and offer any guidance. And if you should be going through a difficult time (as will happen in fostering), they will be with you every step of the way.
Before becoming an approved foster carer, you will attend a number of training workshops, as well as our ‘Skills to Foster’ course. You will also be in regular contact with one of our assessing social workers, who will guide and advise you, and generally prepare you for the task of fostering.
The ‘Skills to Foster’ course is one of the primary training exercises you will complete in becoming an approved foster carer. The programme focuses on practical day-to-day skills and links into the Training, Support and Development Standards, other professional development qualifications and the competency-based assessment process.
As part of your pre-approval training, you will also be required to attend several training workshops, which can cover areas such as attachment, allegations and safe caring.