Demonstrating your competence
The standards of foster care identify four key areas for competence. FosterCare UK training programmes cover these areas and all fostering assessments are based on these standards.
You may already be able to think of some examples of your knowledge and skills and there will be other areas where you may benefit from FosterCare UK training. The initial training and assessment process is a time to think about your skills and experience and start to show how you will be able to meet the standards.
The Competencies YOU will need:
1. Caring for Children
1.1 An ability to provide a good standard of care to other people’s children which promotes healthy emotional, physical and sexual development as well as their health and educational achievements.
1.2 An ability to work closely with children’s families, and others who are important to the child.
1.3 An ability to set appropriate boundaries, and manage children’s behaviour within these, without the use of physical or other inappropriate punishment.
1.4 A knowledge of normal child development and an ability to listen to and communicate with children appropriate to their age and understanding.
2. Providing a Safe and Caring Environment
2.1 An ability to ensure that children are cared for in a home where they are safe from harm or abuse.
2.2 An ability to help children keep themselves safe from harm or abuse, and to know how to seek help if their safety is threatened.
3. Working as Part of a Team
3.1 An ability to work with other professional people and contribute to the agency’s planning for the child/young person.
3.2 An ability to communicate effectively.
3.3 An ability to keep information confidential.
3.4 An ability to promote equality, diversity and rights of individuals and groups within society.
4. Own Development
4.1 An ability to appreciate how personal experiences have affected themselves and their families, and the impact fostering is likely to have on them all.
4.2 Having people and links within the community to provide support.
4.3 An ability to use training opportunities and to improve skills.
4.4 An ability to sustain positive relationships and maintain effective functioning through periods of stress.
Training continues after you are approved as a foster carer to enhance your skills as you gain more experience.
Experienced Carers:
You may look at some of the above and feel that fostering is not for you. We are always interested in recruiting foster carers who have the skills and competencies to work with children and young people with particular needs. For example, we require carers who are able to work with girls who are pregnant or teenage mums and others who have particular skills and experience relevant to children and young people with significant disabilities. The FosterCare UK support package will allow you to care for children and young people who have had placement breakdowns in other environments and who need more support or supervision than most fostering providers are able to manage.
If you can demonstrate relevant experience and skills as well as showing your commitment to undertaking a comprehensive training and assessment programme, we would really like to hear from you.
For additional information about how we work and why our services will provide a positive difference, email fostering@fostercareuk.co.uk or you can also apply online by visiting our foster care recruitment page and completing the application form.
