Online Privacy

We hope that you will find the courses being offered for 2010/11 useful and enjoyable. If you are interested in a course which is not being included, but has been in the past, please let us know as it may be possible to run it at a later date. Training for foster carers is linked to the CWDC standards and we expect carers to continue learning throughout their fostering career.

Newly approved carers are expected to complete the core training courses within two years post approval. At the completion of each course a certificate will be issued to course participants. Occasionally we may be offering training opportunities in addition to this programme. Details of these courses will be circulated via your local newsletters or other mailings for the fostering teams, so please keep an eye open for them!

CONFIDENTIALITY

Carers who participate in the training programme will be encouraged to discuss children in their care as part of the training. However, all participants must respect confidentiality of this information outside of the training session.

Where there are any concerns arising from information shared on a training programme in respect of any carer’s practice, this will be referred by the trainers to the relevant manager in the fostering service. A carer will always be informed that this action is being taken and that concerns are being raised.

If you need to discuss issues of confidentiality further, please contact Kathy Houlihan, Practice Manager Fostering on 01392 386073.

HOW TO APPLY

We welcome applications for training courses throughout the year. There are 3 steps:

1. Complete the application form (45KB - pdf help) and send it to: The Fostering Training Clerk, Parkers Barn, Parkers Way, Totnes, TQ9 5UF
2. Places on courses will be allocated on receipt of your application and you will be sent a letter of confirmation. Where courses are oversubscribed it may be necessary to offer an alternative date or venue. If this is not possible your name will be added to a waiting list.
3. Two weeks before each course begins detailed information will be sent out to course participants to include the address of the venue, a map and a list of other participants.

If you haven’t heard from us regarding your training application or if you would like to find out about the availability of last minute places please contact us on 01392 386062

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND

Once you’ve booked onto a course, you should try your hardest to attend. We run waiting lists for each one - but if you cancel too near to the date, or simply don’t turn up at all, then it’s impossible to fill your place. And this means that you are effectively preventing another carer from taking advantage of the training opportunity. Fostering is full of unpredictable events, but an empty seat on a course costs money – so only cancel if you have to, and do it as soon as you know you can’t attend by calling 01392 386062. Thanks for your co-operation.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

We are able to reimburse foster carers attending training events in this programme for mileage to and from these events and out of pocket expenditure on child care costs. Claims for all expenditure must be made using the Devon County Council Travel, Subsistence and Other Benefits Claim Form.  Copies of this form can be obtained from the training clerk on 01392 386062.

Please try to complete and submit one form per month. Remember to sign it before sending it on. In the Reason for Journey section, please indicate clearly the date, venue and name of the course you have attended. Where child care costs are being claimed, please attach receipts. Under normal circumstances mileage will be paid at the current Volunteer Rate. Carers are also entitled to an extra 1p per mile if they carry a passenger who is attending the same training course. Wherever reasonably possible we would expect foster carers to share transport.

For all training outlined in this brochure, please send your claim forms to The Fostering Training Clerk, Parkers Barn, Parkers Way, Totnes, TQ9 5UF

Please note: claims for any other type of training such as Pre-Approval training or expenses in relation to children placed with you, should be submitted to your Fostering Supervising Social Worker.

VENUES AND TIMINGS

We have tried to make the courses as convenient to carers as possible by locating them in venues across the county and at times which do not clash with school delivery or collection. Some courses are also delivered via support groups operating at various times throughout the week - some of which are run during the day and some in the evening.

We are using new venues this year. Please let us know if you experience any problems with the suitability of a venue for the training you attend. A light sandwich lunch is included for all of the day training sessions run specifically for foster carers, but not for the multi-agency courses.