Foster Carer Training with Lorimer

Posted on 21st March 2014 by Jonathan

What training will I receive as a Foster Carer?

Once you’ve made it through the assessment process and have been approved as a foster carer by the fostering panel, you become part of our team, part of the Lorimer Team. We will provide you with all the training and support you need to help you develop into the best foster carer you can be. Making the decision to welcome a vulnerable child into your home is a big one, and we will help ensure that you are fully prepared with the knowledge and skills required to work effectively as a foster carer.

‘Skills to Foster’ Training

The ‘Skills to Foster’ course we offer will teach you all you need to know before a child is placed with you. We will help you to become familiar with all the statutory guidance you need to know as a professional foster carer working with a looked-after child. When laws and guidelines change, we will similarly inform you of these updates so that you are up to date every step of the way. We will teach you about the particular issues facing children in care. We will show you how you can best meet the special needs of a foster child. You will meet the other members of our team and they will tell you how they can assist you in your role as a foster carer with Lorimer Foster Services.

Some of the areas you will receive training in are:

• child protection
• managing behaviour
• safe care practices
• record keeping
• first aid skills
• valuing heritage and identity
• caring for children who self-harm and
• caring for children who have experienced sexual abuse.

Choosing to become a foster carer means that you are embarking on a new career. As with other occupations, it is essential to build on your skills and knowledge with a professional development plan, perhaps involving further study, such as NVQ3 ‘Looking after children and young people’. You may also find it useful to attend fostering forums and other events organised by Lorimer. We will encourage and support you in every way, to be the best foster carer that you can be.