Working with children and young people means being part of a complex structure. Therefore, it is essential that everyone within the workforce understands their own role, and can then set it within the context of their organisation and the workforce as a whole. Furthermore, The Role of the Foster Carer course enables learners to develop the knowledge and skills they need to take on their role with confidence.

Being a foster carer is not easy and will bring many challenges along the way. Therefore, you will need to remain committed, to show resilience and to work as part of a team. Fostering will also bring you joy when you see the children you care for enjoy their lives. As well as, make progress in all areas of their development and in the positive meaningful relationships that you will build with them.

This course will cover the following:

• Why children are taken into care
• Attachment theory
• Interaction with birth families
• Supporting your own children when you foster
• The views of the foster child
• Responsibilities of being a foster carer
• Safer Care
• Delegated authority
• Complaints
• Self care

By the end of this training, you will:

• Know why children come into the care system
• Know what children want from a foster placement
• Understand why children come into the care system
• Understand the different experiences of children in care and the impact on their behaviour
• Know how to welcome a child to your home and your day to day role
• Know how to take care of yourself and how to support your own children
• Managing complaints and allegations

This Role of the Foster Carer course has been designed specifically for people who want to know more about what being a foster carer involves. Whilst it provides focus for people working in Children's Services, it will also be useful to a wider audience of people who would like to know more about the day to day responsibilities of a foster carer.