Foster carer training: Enhancing skills for fostering success
In 2023, there were 100,000 young people in the UK care system, with one new child entering every 15 minutes. Sadly, this number continues to rise year on year, which means the need for compassionate carers who can provide vulnerable children with a safe and nurturing home has never been greater.
Foster families offer stability, love, and support and give the children in their care the chance to thrive. While it’s an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career choice, it doesn’t come without challenges.
Many young people in the care system have experienced trauma, abuse or difficult upbringings. Training helps foster carers understand how different backgrounds might impact their foster child’s development, behaviour or emotional well-being. It also gives carers practical advice and strategies to appropriately meet the needs of each child.
At Unity, we understand how important it is for foster carers to feel prepared and fully supported throughout their journey. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the training and support that will be available to you if you choose to foster with us.
What training will you receive as a foster carer?
Supporting our carers is one of our main priorities at Unity Foster Care. If you choose to start your fostering journey with us, you’ll always have access to guidance and advice when you need it, including 24/7 support from a social worker.
We provide both in-person and online training to help our foster carers build their understanding and practical skills. Before any placement is made, you’ll receive training in areas like first aid, online safety, trauma care and more.
Throughout your fostering journey, you can continue to develop your knowledge and build confidence. Remember, no child is the same – what works for one child may not work for another. This is why we give our community of carers tools and resources to continue learning, including courses specific to the needs of the child or young person in your care.
Free FosterTalk membership
FosterTalk is the go-to organisation for fostering advice, practical guidance, independent support and benefits. All our incredible fostering families get a free FosterTalk membership, which includes:
- 24/7 helplines
- Expert advice (legal, medical, financial, counselling – you name it)
- Events
- Education
- Shopping and lifestyle discounts
- Legal insurance to protect against allegations
What other support is available for foster carers?
Training is just one part of the support you will receive as a Unity foster carer. You’ll also get an allocated social worker, who will be on hand to support you 24/7, generous fostering allowances and fees, paid respite breaks, events, regular support groups, and much more.
Join our fostering community in Leeds, Yorkshire, and the North East
Could you make a difference to the lives of children and young people in your area?
If you’re based in Leeds, Yorkshire or nearby areas in the North East and are considering fostering, we’re here to support you.
If you’d like to get started on your application process, call us on 0333 772 2333. Alternatively, book an initial chat with Gemma, our friendly advisor, who will gladly answer any questions and guide you through the fostering journey.