Recruitment Process
Pre-Approval Training
In addition to information and personal discussion, Devon requires prospective carers to undertake a series of group training sessions prior to completion of a formal application form.
Pre approval training is part of Devon’s overall training strategy for carers; it provides an introduction to the foster carer’s tasks and the competencies required, an introduction to child development issues for children looked after, and an introduction to the concept of ongoing training and the building up of an individual portfolio.
Training groups are held in each area of the county on a regular basis, to maintain continuity in the recruitment > assessment process and to ensure no individual has a significant wait. Devon aims to offer a choice to those interested through different training times (e.g. evening or Saturday) at different locations across the county.
The groups offer opportunities to discuss issues with Social Workers with expertise in fostering, with approved foster carers and with others interested in becoming carers.
- Formal training materials are based on the ‘Skills to Foster’ course, and areas covered include:
- understanding child development and behaviours, and the impact of abuse, discrimination
- exploring the role of caring for disadvantaged / damaged children
- safe caring (Fostering Network booklet provided to all attending)
- assessment based on competencies
- working with families
- promoting the educational achievement of looked after children
This training will make prospective carers alert to close monitoring of the health and education needs of children looked after; alert to the possibility of some form of abuse being disclosed post placement and how to offer appropriate support; alert to the complex issues between foster children and their extended families; the importance of health, safety and hygiene issues within the foster home; their own reasons for wanting to foster and their experiences of parenting and being parented.
Prospective carers are made aware that the training sessions will form part of their assessment, where individuals complete an application form and continue with the formal assessment stage; a written report from the pre approval training will form part of the final assessment package to Panel.
