A guide to the foster care handbook

When you become a foster parent with Foster Care UK, you’ll receive a broad range of training to provide you with everything you need to know to become a successful foster carer. You’ll also have access to support from the team here at Foster Care UK. In addition to this, you’ll receive a working handbook for foster carers from your supervising social worker, which is also available in the Carer Area on the website.

What is the foster care handbook?

The foster care handbook is a guide given to all foster carers. The foster carer handbook outlines policies, procedures and guidance surrounding the fostering service. It includes common situations faced by foster carers on a day-to-day basis.

Who is the foster care handbook for?

Foster parents will be issued with the handbook as part of their training. Foster children are also provided with a handbook when they are taken into care which aims to ease their transition into foster care and helps them to integrate when they are placed with a new family.   

How is the foster care handbook used?

For foster parents

The foster carers handbook is a working handbook. This means it’s constantly updated with the latest legislation and advice. It is part of the intensive training you’ll receive when you begin the process of becoming a foster carer.

For foster children

Foster children also have a handbook to ensure that their time in foster care is a positive experience. It also gives children and young people the option to speak to a social worker or supervising social worker in place of their foster carer if they feel more comfortable. As well as passing on their living arrangements to anyone the child feels needs to know about them.

Training and support 

Here at Foster Care UK, we are committed to providing the highest level of support and training to help you to provide the very best care for your foster child. The foster care handbook is designed to ensure you meet at least the national minimum standards for fostering.

In addition to pre-approval training, you’ll also have ongoing foster care training. We understand that every foster carer’s training needs are different, which is why we work with you and your supervising social worker to develop your own personal training plan, equipping you with tools you need to meet the Fostering Service Standards.

Thinking of fostering?

If you’re considering fostering you can find out more about the foster care requirements. Find out more about the types of foster care such as long term or short term fostering. Or, if you’re ready to start the conversation contact us today.