Welcome and introduction from the Director of Childrenâs Services
Welcome to the Foster Carers Learning and Development Brochure, 2024 – 2025.
Becoming a foster parent is an amazing opportunity to give a child or young person the fresh start they need. It takes a huge amount of courage to start your fostering journey, but caring for a child is one of the most rewarding things.
It is the relationship with a Carer that very often makes the real difference to the lives of our children who are looked after by the local authority. Coventry values the diligent work of its Foster Carers, therefore, is keen to support them every step of the way.
In Coventry Children’s Services we 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 parents to develop their skills, knowledge, and experience. We are committed to providing high quality training programmes that are accessible and relevant to all our foster carers.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing hard work and support by the foster carers provided to our children looked after. I am delighted to announce the ongoing training and development offer to our foster carers. The Foster Care Learning and Development Brochure offers a comprehensive choice of courses, some delivered by Practitioners from the Fostering Service and other external trainers, all of whom are experts in their field.
You will note that some of many of the sessions will be delivered jointly with Supervising Social Workers, Children’s Social Workers, and staff across Children’s Services. This is part of the commitment to deliver a ‘team around the child’ approach to all looked after children and young people, relationships will be strengthened and the learning that we all take from the children we look after will be shared.
The training courses have been arranged up to March 2025 and include a mix of face to face and virtual courses and an e-learning offer to vary your development opportunities.
Please attend any courses that are beneficial to you and speak to 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 Services further on our journey to excellence.
Neil MacDonald
Director of Children’s Services
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.
TSD (Training, Support & Development Standards)
All Foster Carers are required to complete the Training, Support and Development Standards below within 12 months (18 months for Connected Persons Foster Carers) of becoming approved. The 7 Training, Support and Development Standards (TSD) form part of a Foster Carer’s induction into the role and then become part of your Continuing Professional Development. The TSD provide a national minimum benchmark that sets out what Foster Carers should understand throughout their career. Foster Carers must evidence all of the standards under each of the following seven headings.
In Coventry we ask Foster Carers to complete a portfolio to demonstrate their understanding as they start their fostering journey. You will have received this during your assessment. Your Supervising Social Worker will support you with completing the portfolio. Attending training is one way to demonstrate your learning and can assist you with completion.
In the following pages you will find the available courses (also see the gov.uk pages [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287954/foster_care_tsd_standards_guidance.pdf]):
- Understand the principles and values essential for fostering children and young people.
- Understand your role as a Foster Carer
- Understand health and safety, and healthy care
- Know how to communicate effectively
- Understand the development of children and young people
- Safeguarding children and young people (keep them safe from harm)
- Develop yourself
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 below 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 AC Education 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 AC Education
The course offerings by AC Education 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 on their website AC Education [https://www.ac-education.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.
Training calendar 2024 â 2025
April 2024
- Behaviour That Challenges You
- Reporting & Recording for Foster Carers
- Therapeutic Parenting and Behaviour Management
May 2024
- Attachment
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Identity
- Foster Care Core Refresher
- Life Story Work
- Understanding Mental Health & Emotional Well-being
June 2024
- Intro to Safer Caring & Health & Safety
- Safeguarding Awareness for Foster Care
- Special Guardian Training
- Supporting Education LAC (language support training)
•July 2024
- Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness
- Therapeutic Parenting and Behaviour Management
September 2024
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Identity
- Foster Care Core Refresher
- Life Story Work
- Supporting Transition to Adoption
October 2024
- Attachment
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Foundations for Attachment
- Reporting & Recording for Foster Carers
- Special Guardian Training
- Supporting Children & YP with Autism
•November 2024
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Identity
- Therapeutic Parenting and Behaviour Management
December 2024
- Intro to Safer Caring & Health & Safety
January 2025
- Life Story Work
- Special Guardian Training
February 2025
- Intro to Safer Caring & Health & Safety
March 2025
- Foundations for Attachment
- Safeguarding Awareness for Foster Care
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.
- Safeguarding Awareness for Foster Care [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57199/safeguarding-awareness-for-foster-care]
- Intro to Safer Caring & Health & Safety [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57195/intro-to-safer-caring-health-safety]
- Recording for Foster Carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57198/recording-for-foster-carers]
- Equality & Diversity [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/learning-development-foster-carers/learning-development-foster-carers-1/7]
- First Aid for Foster Carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57192/first-aid-for-foster-carers]
- Therapeutic Parenting and Behaviour Management [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57202/therapeutic-parenting-and-behaviour-management-]
- Supporting 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.
Annual Conference
Save the date.
We are inviting all Special Guardians, Connected Persons, and mainstream foster carers to join us.
Annual Conference 21 May 2024 at University of Warwick.
For queries, please contact: Childrenstraining@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:Childrenstraining@coventry.gov.uk]
Research in Practice resources for carers
For almost 20 years Research in Practice has supported Children’s Services workers in their efforts to improve the lives of children and families. We aim to make research and evidence accessible and easy to apply, to enable safer decision-making and robust child-centred practice.
As a Foster Carer or Special Guardian, the support and nurturing you give to children is invaluable. We understand that your role is both challenging and rewarding so keeping up to date with shifting policy and practice, understanding research, gaining insights into what is working well and what’s not, can be extremely time consuming and often daunting. Research in Practice can support you with this.
As a Carer employed by Coventry you can gain free access to the Research in Practice website.
Resources
You can download any of our resources at no cost. All of the publications and tools are jargon-free and give practical examples of how to apply research messages to practice. Once signed up, you can access resources [https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/].
Research in Practice also gives easy access to online learning modules which help you to understand the headline points on key topics.
Once signed up, you can access the e-learning. [https://www.rip.org.uk/events-and-online-learning/e-learning-modules/]
Fostering and adoption minisite
In addition to resources available on the Research in Practice website, there is also a host of training resources and materials targeted at people working in fostering and adoption on our freely accessible minisite. [http://www.fosteringandadoption.rip.org.uk]
This website hosts key research messages on several relevant topics including:
- Attachment theory and research
- Child development
- Early brain development and maltreatment
- Early childhood trauma
- Impacts of delayed decision making
- Communicating effectively with children and young people
- Placement stability and permanence
- Managing risks and benefits of contact
Trainer profiles
Simon Booth - Breaking the Cycle
Simon Booth has been working in training for over 20 years offering group intervention to adults with learning difficulties and complex young people from a range of backgrounds. He has been an active member of the Youth Offending Service for over 13 years employed as a Case Manager, Trainer and Operational Manager. He has years of hands on experience in developing and delivering programmes to young people and adults with complex needs. Simon has been an Operational Manager for 5 years, managing high risk offenders and managing the CAMHS within the criminal justice service. Simon has also been a Foster Carer and a qualified Youth Worker for many years.
Simon currently trains Councils and National Organisations in courses which include: Professional Boundaries, Safeguards; Supervision and Development Assessments, Risk Management, Safeguarding, Safer Caring, Fostering Principles and Attachment, Self-harm and Suicide, Mental Health Awareness, Critical Reflection, Behavioural Management and Effective Communication, Person Centred Practice, Victim Awareness and Restorative Justice, Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy.
Louisa McGivney
My journey of teaching children with special educational needs began when I was a specialist teacher in an advisory capacity as part of a Local Authority Autism Outreach Service. This involved providing specialist support and guidance to schools, parents, carers, practitioners and agencies, to ensure learners were given the opportunity to access an effective, meaningful and successful education.
My current role in Coventry is as a specialist advisory teacher for the Complex Communication Team and strategic lead for all training and development in Autism across the County. I am regularly seconded as an intermediary advocate for the Criminal Justice Service; involved in court cases involving children and young adults who are on the Autism spectrum. Firmly believing that inclusion is not simply a destination, but a journey that should be as exciting and fulfilling as possible for all children, by taking account of and responding to, children’s individual strengths, differences and needs.
Dr Anita Holtom-Viesel (CAMHS LAC)
I qualified in 2011, and since qualifying I have specialised in working with children, young people, and their families. For over 10 years I have worked in the NHS in a range of mental health services, and in the last 6 years have worked in children’s mental health services, specifically with children and young people with neuro-developmental conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and more recently with children in foster care and residential settings.
I also have experience of completing specialist psychological assessments and interventions with children, young people, and their families with mental health needs, and/or neurodevelopmental disorders, in children and adults. I have experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team assessing neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dan Packe
Dan has been a valued member of the SCTS team since its foundation. He has experience in developing innovative and creative learning packages for a diverse array of clients ranging from children and their carers, in and out of home care, and family placements, to assist understanding and attachment with the aim of enabling placements to become healthy and nurturing for all involved.
Dan undertakes consultancy and training on Life Story Therapy and working with 'hard to reach' children and adolescents.
He still works in treatment, which informs his practice and keeps him up-to-date with all the latest trends.
William Horrocks – Tina Training
William has worked as a Health & Social Care lecturer in Further Education for over 20 years, delivering foundation and advanced in- service training in support provision, care management, counselling skills, personal development and workplace supervision.
He has a background in youth and community work, professional theatre, staff development, advocacy and group facilitation. Bill embodies a dynamic approach to personal interaction and illustrates care concepts with life stories and popular music.
Mandy Beaumont - Occupational Health
Mandy delivers this Training for Occupational Health and runs her own First Aid Training Company - MEB Training and has been delivering First Aid Training since 2002. Mandy has also worked for local Adult Education Services delivering NPLQ and First Aid since 1998. Mandy is a Sport Centre Manager at President Kennedy School and has worked there for over 30 years. She is also a pool lifeguard trainer assessor for RLSS and has done this for over 20 years. Recently Mandy has become a mentor so now helps the probationary Trainer Assessor also.
Mandy’s background is with Occupational Health delivering first aid training since 2003.
Julia Davis - Premier
Julia Davis is a child and family therapist with an independent adoption agency – in this role she carries out assessments and therapy with families who have adopted, support Looked after Children and their Foster-Carers, parent mentoring, therapeutic life story work and training.
Julia is an independent social worker and play therapist – within this role she carries out assessments and therapeutic work with adopted and Looked after Children, life story work and play therapy for children with a range of issues including ill health and sexual abuse, preparing children to move to adoptive placements, assessing children as part of planning for their future needs and placements.
Julia is also an independent trainer and supervisor – she trains on direct work with families and young people, life story work, therapeutic use of play, introduction to principles of Theraplay®, developmental re-parenting, building positive attachment relationships, support to children in schools with attachment issues and many more.