Training and skills

Skills to foster training

Skills to foster training runs four times a year.

The course consists of six sessions spread over three Saturdays.

These sessions are usually held in the Dolphin Centre Darlington.

In addition, three specialist sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings. Applicants will be able to meet health and education experts, as well as young people involved in improving services for young people.

Ongoing training and development

Once skills to foster training is finished, you will complete the Training, Skills and Development Standards (TSDS) for foster carers. All foster carers must complete this training.

Nationally all foster carers must complete this training.

During the first year, foster carers complete their induction. This will include any identified training. After the first year, each foster carer has a personal development plan which outlines all of their training and learning needs.

To meet the criteria, you must attend specific mandatory training. At this point we will identify any additional training needs. We offer a broad training programme, and e-learning opportunities.