The Positive Aspirations Group is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and empowering learning environment for all Foster Carers. We believe that continuous learning is essential to providing high-quality, trauma-informed care that supports children and young people to heal, grow, and thrive.
The staff and leaders of the agency aspire for Foster Carers to provide placements that protect, stabilise, and promote the welfare of every child and young person placed with them. Our training programme is designed to build confidence, knowledge, and resilience in Foster Carers while recognising and valuing their lived experience, compassion, and expertise.
Many of our training courses are accredited through the CPD Certification Service and are structured to encourage reflection, self-awareness, and shared learning in a supportive environment.
This procedure must be read alongside the Positive Aspirations Group Training and Development Policy.
Foster Carer Learning, Development and Mandatory Training
Ongoing learning and development are central to trauma-informed practice. Learning is viewed as a lifelong journey — not simply a requirement — and helps Foster Carers continue to build understanding, empathy, and skills to meet the complex needs of children who have experienced trauma.
Developing skills through regular training enables Foster Carers to:
- Carry out their roles confidently and effectively.
- Stay informed about relevant legislation, policies, and best practice approaches.
- Promote safe, reflective practice that minimises the risk of concerns, complaints, or allegations.
- Strengthen relationships and communication within fostering households and with professionals.
There is always more to learn; development is continuous and evolves as the needs of children, carers, and families change.
The legal basis for training is National Minimum Standard 20, which states that Foster Carers must undertake “the training and development they need to carry out their role effectively.”
Foster Carers are required to complete mandatory training every three years. This includes Parent and Child Training for those approved to offer parent and child placements.
Training Requirements
During Assessment – Pre-Panel
All prospective Foster Carers must attend the Skills to Foster Preparation Course. This training introduces the values, responsibilities, and reflective aspects of fostering, including how to support children who have experienced trauma.
Applicants must also complete the following mandatory courses:
- Paediatric First Aid
- Safeguarding and Allegations
- Positive Parenting & De-escalation
- Safer Caring (delivered as part of both the Skills to Foster and Assessment process)
These courses may be delivered face-to-face, via Zoom, or on an online learning platform. Each must be renewed every three years.
Post-Approval Induction
• Induction is delivered on a one-to-one basis by the Referrals and Response Team (RRT), the Supervising Social Worker (SSW), and the Education Consultant.
• This is followed by the Foundations for Fostering Workshop, which reinforces key policies, procedures, and trauma-informed practices.
• During induction, specific learning and development needs are identified collaboratively and recorded in a Professional Development Plan (PDP). This plan outlines how the agency will support the Foster Carer’s growth and should be completed before the first annual Foster Carer Review.
Within the First 12 Months (or by First Annual Review)
Foster Carers must complete:
5. Health, Safety & Hygiene Training, delivered face-to-face, via Zoom, or through an online platform.
Additionally, all newly approved Foster Carers must complete the Training, Support and Development Standards (TSDS) within their first year. These are national standards that Foster Carers must evidence through understanding and reflective practice.
Support is provided one-to-one and through workshops (three of which must be attended), alongside guidance to create a written portfolio. The agency will ensure that learning is accessible, supported, and trauma-informed throughout this process.
Foster Carer Training Needs
When a new placement is made, the Referral and Response Team (RRT) may recommend training relevant to the child or young person’s needs.
- Where specific training is identified, RRT will allocate it to the Foster Carer via the training app on Base.
- Foster Carers and SSWs will receive an automated email outlining the training and a 14-day timeframe for completion.
- The SSW may review this training after the Initial Placement Agreement (IPA) or once more information is available.
Essential training must be completed within the 14-day timeframe.
Desirable training may be extended and reviewed in supervision, or removed if not applicable.
If essential training remains incomplete after 14 days, follow-up reminder emails will be sent fortnightly until completion.
Where training is deemed desirable or removed, the SSW must record the rationale in supervision records.
Training Identified by SSW or IRO
Essential Training:
If the SSW (or Independent Reviewing Officer) identifies essential training, they will assign it via the training app with a 14-day completion deadline, triggering automatic reminders.
Desirable Training:
If training is identified as desirable, it will be reviewed during monthly supervision, allowing flexibility to align learning with the Foster Carer’s circumstances and wellbeing.
Annual and Ongoing Learning & Development
At each Annual Review, the Foster Carer’s learning and development progress will be evaluated and a new Professional Development Plan (PDP) created for the upcoming year.
This plan may include:
- One-to-one sessions with the SSW
- Online or group training
- Peer learning and support groups
- Independent learning (reading, podcasts, or research)
Foster Carers’ engagement with their PDP is reviewed at the next Annual Review.
The PDP represents the minimum expectation, but Foster Carers are encouraged to explore their own areas of interest or expertise. SSWs may suggest additional training, and at times, the agency may require all Foster Carers to complete specific training linked to emerging practice issues or child needs.
All training completed through the agency — online, via Zoom, or in person — is logged automatically. Foster Carers are encouraged to share any external training or learning so it can also be recorded as part of their professional portfolio.
SSW Role in Supporting Learning and Development
Supervising Social Workers play a key trauma-informed role in supporting Foster Carers’ growth by ensuring that:
• All four mandatory training modules are completed and up to date.
• The Foster Carer agrees with and understands their PDP.
• The Foster Carer can access the online training platform confidently.
• The Foster Carer feels supported and encouraged to explore training beyond mandatory requirements.
• The Foster Carer has access to the agency’s current list of training opportunities (face-to-face and online).
• Any barriers to participation (such as time pressures, literacy, digital access, or emotional wellbeing) are discussed sensitively and practical solutions agreed.
• The Foster Carer completes a minimum of three training sessions per year, including any mandatory renewals.
This approach promotes collaboration, empowerment, and choice, key principles of trauma-informed practice.
Access to Training Platforms
Foster Carers should use the following links to access their training platforms and mandatory courses:
- Greater London Fostering: https://glf.fosteringtraining.com/
- Fostering Hearts: https://hearts.fosteringtraining.com/
- South Coast Fostering: https://scfostering.fosteringtraining.com/
Zoom training sessions are held regularly from 10:00am to 12:30pm using the following link:
https://zoom.us/my/panelandtraining
