Training
Covid-19
We look forward to welcoming you back to classroom training.
Your safety is of paramount importance and we have been preparing our buildings carefully over several months. All rooms within buildings are being risk assessed in line with HSE guidance, to ensure spaces have natural or mechanical ventilation in place.
Enhanced cleaning will be in place, including regular cleaning of high touch points and thorough cleaning of workspaces and equipment will take place each evening. There will also be a supply of disinfectant wipes for staff and visitors to use and it is recommended that shared desks and IT equipment are wiped down at the start and end of each training session. There will be ample supply of hand sanitiser throughout the buildings for staff and visitors to use.
Types of training
Development opportunities are still provided for you though through a range of blended learning approaches.
You can access training online through our e-learning platforms, via the AC Education online portal and through virtual classroom sessions all from the comfort of your own home.
As government guidelines change we will look to offer classroom options as soon as we are able.
How to access training sessions
You can access all training through the foster carers training website. This is where you can search for and book on training courses you require.
Some e-learning links will take you directly to the course provider website where you can then register and enrol on sessions.
Our online learning portal is called AC Education Online. To book courses on this portal you will need to complete the AC-Education Carer Applicant Details form and email it to your assessing or supervising social worker who will process the form to the AC-Education account's team to request access for you.
Help is always at hand
We know that the training can appear overwhelming or daunting at first. We want to support you to complete these courses and get the most from them.
- If you are unsure how to access any of the training please ask your assessing or supervising social worker – both will be happy to assist you in accessing our training courses.
- If you are struggling with any aspect of the training then please talk to us. We can always find a way to support your learning and development as a foster carer.
Training to be completed
In assessment
- Skills to foster - This newly developed training is delivered at County Hall as a three day course and it is mandatory that this is completed during your fostering assessment. Your assessing social worker will book you onto this course.
- Prevent: Radicalisation (refresh every year) Apply to register via the Home Office e-learning
- Child Sexual Exploitation (refresh every year) Apply to register via the Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (previously LSCB)
- Information Governance (refresh every year)
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (refresh every three years) Apply to register via Astute e-learning
In first twelve months of approval
To access all the mandatory training listed below visit the mandatory training page on the foster carer training website.
- First aid for foster carers (refresh every three years) (In person only)
- Keeping Children Safe Online (three year refresher) (at present this can only be completed online through AC Education Online please email the completed AC education online request form (DOCX 24 KB) to your SSW to release the course for you)
- Level 1 Introduction to Safeguarding and Child Protection – Virtual classroom sessions - or apply through AC Education Online (please email the completed AC education online request form (DOCX 24 KB) to your SSW to release the course for you)
- Child Development, Attachment and Resilience - virtual classroom sessions (3 year refresher – must be completed within first 12 months of approval) or apply through AC Education Online (please email the completed AC education online request form (DOCX 24 KB) to your SSW to release the course for you)
- Recognising and Respecting Differences - virtual classroom sessions (refresh every three years) or apply through AC Education Online (please email the completed AC education online request form (DOCX 24 KB) to your SSW to release the course for you)
- Effective Communication and Written Records - virtual classroom sessions (3 year refresher – must be completed within first 12 months of approval) or apply through AC Education Online (please email the completed AC education online request form (DOCX 24 KB) to your SSW to release the course for you)
- Therapeutic Caring SCAYT+ Day 1 - virtual classroom sessions (this course can only be completed once you have had a child placed in your care)
- Safe Handling of Medication
- Sons and Daughters of Foster Carers (for children of foster carers)