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Training and Support
All of our Foster Carers receive comprehensive training and continuous support from our Empower Fostering team.
Our comprehensive training program is tailored to meet the demanding needs of caring for young people who have had a difficult start in life.
Foster Carer Training
Once your Foster Carer application has been accepted, you'll be invited to join our 'Skills to Foster' course. This course includes two days of in-person training alongside our experienced staff. We will also look at you attending six workshops designed to provide you with all the tools you require to become a confident & competent Foster Carer. Here you will have the opportunity to meet members of our team plus carers who are already fostering for Empower Fostering.
You'll learn about what's really involved in looking after young people in care and have the opportunity to learn with others who are also applying to foster. This is a comprehensive course, and you'll need to be prepared to complete some home-studies and attend all required training.
Some people find this a challenge, especially if you are still working. However, we must be satisfied that are you appropriately prepared to care for our young people. You, in turn, will feel better equipped and confident.
Training and Development Standards
Once you have been approved as a Foster Carer, you'll need to complete the Training and Development Standards (TSD) for Foster Carers during the first twelve months. In addition, we'll ask you to complete some essential courses such as child protection, safe care, managing risk, equality and diversity, impulsive behavior and administering medication.
Additional Training Requirements
In addition, your local team will produce an annual training program to meet your needs. This usually includes courses such as 'understanding attachment', 'drug and alcohol use', 'e-safety', 'managing behavior' and 'working with teenagers'.
There are many learning opportunities, and we will help you balance any time spent on training with the demands of caring for a young person. People learn better when they enjoy the training and when it is directly related to the job of fostering, so we endeavor to use variety of trainers with considerable experience and expertise in their chosen field.
Supporting You
We know fostering can be a demanding role. Caring for young people who've experienced trauma requires resilience, stability and good support. Here at Empower Fostering, we offer the appropriate level of support you need, when you need it. Our support teams consist of highly skilled, fully qualified social workers, experienced managers and everyone you will meet at our local office. You may need us a little, you may need us a lot. We're always here to support you by providing:
A competitive weekly Foster Carer allowance.
14 days paid holiday (respite) per year, so you can rest from fostering.
Training in all aspects of looking after troubled young people and specific opportunities to develop your skills and specialist interests.
Regular workshops to keep your knowledge up to date.
Phone calls and visits from your dedicated social worker as regularly as needed.
Fortnightly supervision with your social worker - giving you special time to think about your role without interuptions.
Monthly support meetings with a small group of like-minded people and your social worker.
Family outings and social events for all Foster Carers, young people and employees in the family to make sure we stay as one family.
A network of Foster Carers supporting each other.
Support from Social Work Assistants if the going gets tough.
Out of hours Service - Access to a social worker who knows about you and your placement, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
A culture of listening to you, learning from experience, and developing the right service for our carers.
Most importantly, the opportunity to be valued and recongised for your contribution to supporting young people and to foster a small, local, friendly and professional agency dedicated to working alongside you.
01823 756 100 | info@empowerfostering.co.uk
Unit 2 Prockters Farm Offices, West Monkton, Taunton Somerset, TA2 8QN