Learning and development for foster carers - Print version

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Welcome and introduction from the Director of Children’s and Education Services

Welcome to the Foster Carers Training, Learning and Development offer for 2026 to 2027.

I am delighted to announce the ongoing training and development offer to our foster carers. The Foster Care Learning and Development offer provides a comprehensive choice of courses; some are delivered by practitioners within the Fostering Service and others by external trainers who are experts in their field. You will also have access to the improved Flourish online training portal, where you can access a wide range of learning and development opportunities at your convenience.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of your hard work and support that you provide to our children in care. Becoming a foster parent is an amazing opportunity to give a child or young person the fresh start they need, and it takes a huge amount of courage and commitment to start your fostering journey. Our children in care are all individuals who have their own life stories, vulnerabilities and aspirations. Caring for a child in care is one of the most rewarding choices.

The relationship with a carer for a child in care very often makes the real difference to their lives. Coventry Children’s and Education Service values the crucial and skilful work of its Foster Carers, therefore, it is important to us to support them every step of the way.

Coventry Children’s and Education Services place children at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on being a learning organisation and are proactive in helping both employees and our foster carers to develop their skills, knowledge, and experience. We are committed to providing a high-quality training programme that is accessible and relevant to all our foster carers.

You will note that some of the sessions will be delivered jointly with Supervising Social Workers, Children’s Social Workers, and staff across Children’s and Education Services. This is part of our commitment to deliver a ‘team around the child’ approach to all children in care. Coventry Family Valued places relational practice at the core of how we work with children, families, professionals and colleagues.  

The training courses have been arranged until March 2027 and reflect the outcomes of the recent Training Needs Analysis and mandatory training courses. They include a mix of face to face; online courses and an e-learning offer to vary your development opportunities. Please do attend any courses that are beneficial to you and speak with your Supervising Social Worker regularly about any further training and development needs.

I am proud of what we are achieving in Coventry with children and families we work with, and I am committed to strengthening Children’s and Education Services further on our journey to excellence.

Best wishes
Sukriti Sen

Training etiquette

There are several factors that contribute to a successful training session. Trainers must be punctual, present themselves in a professional manner, and create a comfortable environment that provides an equal opportunity for all learners. Equally the behaviours demonstrated by learners will have an outcome on the quality of the session. Trainers may agree these with the group at the start of the session but here are a few basic ground rules when attending a training programme in person or virtually.

  • Always be on time: Arrive early so that you are ready to start on time. If running late please email the trainer before time. Say hello to others when you join the session.
  • Environment: Be aware of your surroundings and ensure your set-up is favourable for learning. Always ensure the lightning is appropriate to clearly show your face. Avoid dark areas and backlight.
  • Distractions: Mute your microphone when not talking or contributing to the session. Use the chat box option to post any questions you may have. Have your mobile turned to vibrate or switched off. Avoid distractions while attending the session that may disrupt your learning
  • Tools to take notes: Have a notebook and pen, ready to write down key concepts and to keep you physically focused on the course.
  • Be focused: Bring an open mind and be prepared to engage in the learning. Ask questions and give others a chance to express themselves. Be respectful to the views of others. Please attend the full session for each course.

Training requirements for all foster carers

The national minimum standards for Foster Carers require all Carers to have a Personal Development Plan and participate in on-going learning and development. 

As a guideline it is expected that every Foster Carer participates in 20 hours of development activity every 12 months. This will often be through participating in the face to face and virtual learning outlined in this Learning and Development Brochure. 

However, development comes in many forms and can also include reading, research, mentoring and discussions. Carers can also access training in other roles which is transferable to their work as Carers. Your Supervising Social Worker will discuss with each of you in supervision learning needs and how these will be met.

Non-attendance at training courses

Whilst we understand that you will try your best to attend the relevant training opportunities, we also understand at times there may be emergencies throughout the year when you can’t attend a session that is booked. Please contact us at your earliest convenience, if you need to cancel, to enable us to offer this place to another delegate.

Please be advised that if you are booked on to a full day training course, you are expected to stay until the end of the day.

Course bookings

What training do I need?

Meet with your Supervising Social Worker/Manager and decide on your training and development needs, or refer to your Personal Development Plan in your Foster Carer Review.

Find and check courses

Check the course detail to ensure it meets your needs and there are available dates.

You must book on each course via the links provided as courses are subject to change and at times can be cancelled due to low numbers.

Face-to-Face/Virtual

Make a booking

Complete a booking through our booking system. [https://coventry.council.bookingbug.com/home/37043]

Virtual sessions

You should receive a link 3 days prior to the training to join a virtual session. Please contact us if you don’t receive a link. 

Training Options - E-Learning

Access e-learning

There is an extensive selection of e-learning courses. See Flourish Course flyer.

Please contact your supervising social worker to book on a course.

Facilities and Reasonable Adjustments

Coventry City Council is happy to consider any reasonable adjustments you may have. Please let us know in advance if there are any arrangements that need to be made on your behalf.

Online learning by Flourish

The course offerings by Flourish cater to a variety of individuals including Foster Carers, Special Guardians, and other Children's Services staff.

Courses vary in length and cover topics such as child development, therapeutic parenting, trauma, and attachment.

Registrations are facilitated through Supervising Social Workers or by emailing childrenstraining@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:childrenstraining@coventry.gov.uk].

The curriculum encompasses diverse areas including core knowledge and skills, safeguarding, therapeutic care, supporting adolescence, key foster care skills, understanding trauma impacts, working in health and social care, understanding neurodiversity and disabilities, keeping children safe online, diplomas, and additional training options. View all the courses available /Link to training portfolio Children's Services Online Course Bundle - Flourish [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/XvMNCKOPYSErqQ9CMfkH5vBUy?domain=flourish.co.uk]

These courses aim to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to positively impact the lives of children and young people in their care. For a comprehensive overview and description of all courses, interested individuals can visit the provided links.

Click Learning Support support@click-learning.co.uk [mailto:support@click-learning.co.uk] Tel: 03300 560 555 – choose option - 1

 

Training calendar 2026 to 2027

April 2026

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

September 2026

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

We are committed to supporting everyone in utilising training courses to develop their skills and knowledge to realise their full potential.

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we are keen to encourage participation from all, therefore if you require any support to assist you in accessing these courses please don’t hesitate to contact us at: Childrenstraining@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:Childrenstraining@coventry.gov.uk]

Mandatory training

The national minimum standards for Foster Care set out the training that it is required for all Foster Carers to complete.  This is what we refer to as Mandatory Training.  It is required that each Foster Carer covers the subject areas listed below either through face to face training or via e-learning. Some Foster Carers may have prior learning which they believe covers the subject area which they should discuss with their Supervising Social Worker.

Once the Mandatory Training has been completed it needs to be refreshed at least every 3 years. 

You can find more details of each course in this Brochure. If you have any questions, please refer to your Supervising Social Worker for advice.

  1. Safeguarding Awareness for Foster Care [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57199/safeguarding-awareness-for-foster-care]
  2. Intro to Safer Caring & Health & Safety [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57195/intro-to-safer-caring-health-safety]
  3. Recording for Foster Carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57198/recording-for-foster-carers]
  4. Equality & Diversity [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/learning-development-foster-carers/learning-development-foster-carers-1/7]
  5. First Aid for Foster Carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57192/first-aid-for-foster-carers]
  6. Therapeutic Parenting and Behaviour Management [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57202/therapeutic-parenting-and-behaviour-management-]
  7. Supporting Education of Looked After Children [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6612/supporting-the-education-of-looked-after-children]

Other resources

Coventry Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Training Programme

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and in particular protecting them from significant harm is dependent on the effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise.

Access inter-agency training [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cscptraining].

Coventry Virtual School

Coventry Virtual School is a service provided by dedicated professionals within the Children, Schools and Families Directorate whose work is to promote and co-ordinate educational support for Looked After Children and Care Leavers to succeed at nursery, school, college and university; wherever their place of learning.

Coventry Virtual School work in partnership with schools, social workers, carers and other professionals. To ensure all are working together successfully to help children achieve their potential.

Access Virtual School training [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/virtualschool].

UK Safer Internet Centre

The UK Safer Internet Centre has worked together with Islington Council to create leaflets for Foster Carers, Special Guardians and Adoptive Parents. The leaflets, which are free to download [http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/resources-parents-and-carers] and easy to print; include top tips and conversation starters to help Carers and parents get to grips with internet safety.

Coventry Adult education Service

The Coventry Adult Education Service offer a range of courses with 'fostering' in mind. 

If you are interested and would to know more, please contact: adulted-queries@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:adulted-queries@coventry.gov.uk].

Research in Practice resources for carers

Resources for Foster Carers

Research in Practice provides evidence-informed resources and tools to support those working with, and supporting, children and families to make the best possible decisions. Lots of the resources are relevant to foster carers and can be used to support your learning and to help you gain insight into the experiences of the children and young people you are caring for. Whilst they are grounded in research evidence they are developed to be engaging and accessible to busy people.

Available to you, free to access and download as part of our membership is the following:

Opportunities for flexible and accessible learning and are structured around topics [https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/all/topics/] such as child development [https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/children/topics/child-development/], children in care [https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/children/topics/children-in-care/], trauma-informed practice [https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/all/topics/trauma/] and more. You can access learning in a variety of formats including written publications, podcasts, blogs, videos, webinars and events.

If you would like access you can request an online account via this link. [https://forms.monday.com/forms/cee443a6d24f6a19c829245bc6897e80?r=euc1] To ensure your account is set up correctly you should:

  • Select Foster Carer or adopter from the ‘Are you’ drop down.
  • Specify your organisation as the organisation hosting your account.

N.B. Foster carer accounts are set up manually by a member of Research in Practice staff. Whilst we do this as quickly as possible, please allow up to 10 working days for email confirmation.

Once set up you can log in and access the resources here [https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/dashboard/].

Below are links to a selection of resources you might be interested in:

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