We hope that you will find the courses being offered for 2007/08 useful and enjoyable. If you are interested in a course which is not being included this year 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 Foster Carers Progression Scheme. In order to progress to a higher level, evidence of training must be provided by carers. At the completion of each course a certificate will be issued to course participants. Please keep certificates to use at your foster carer review when progression scheme levels will be considered.
Where appropriate, courses have been linked to NVQ competencies. Once again, course certificates can be used to evidence training undertaken.
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!
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.
We welcome applications for training courses throughout the year.
(79KB - pdf help) and send it to the Fostering Training Clerk, Children and Young People’s Services, Parkers Barn, Parkers Way, Totnes, TQ9 5UFIf 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.
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.
We are able to reimburse foster carers attending both the NVQ Level 3 Programme and other training events described in this brochure, 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 Benefit Claim Form (reference CT/PUMA1). 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 Volunteer Rate which is currently 44.2p per mile. 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, 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/ Locality Social Worker for Children in Placement.
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 which operate at various times throughout the week some of which are run during the day and some in the evening.
All fostering work with looked after children is governed by a number of key pieces of legislation and guidance. Therefore, the courses in this programme link directly to:
Where looked after children also have diagnosed special needs, there are also duties and responsibilities under the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 2001.
For young people making their way through the educational system and beyond, the Learning Skills Act 2000 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 are applicable.
The courses in this programme are not intended to make carers experts in law, but are designed and presented within the spirit, context and responsibilities of the legislation and guidance.
We encourage carers to use the training opportunities which are provided as part of their learning and development. In order to make the most of the training opportunities which are available, your fostering supervising social worker will discuss your learning and development needs as part of their ongoing work with you and as part of the foster care review process. This information is used for our review of the training programme to see how we can better meet carers’ needs.
All carers will have their own personal portfolio and workbook.
Why keep portfolios?
The portfolio is your property. Throughout the training there will be individual exercises that you will complete and these can be included in your portfolio.
Materials given by the trainers during their course can be kept in your portfolio. These include Reflective Learning Logs which you should complete after each training session. They can also be used for NVQ purposes and most importantly your annual fostering review with your fostering supervising social worker.
For foster carers wishing to pursue an NVQ the keeping of a portfolio is very relevant as once you have enrolled on the NVQ programme your Assessor will guide you as to how the evidence can be used.
In addition to the training courses in this programme, Devon County Council also offers its foster carers the opportunity to undertake the NVQ in Health and Social Care - Children and Young People Level 3.
What's an NVQ?
NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification and this award is perfectly designed to the work you do as a foster carer. You will not be required to take on any other work or sit any examinations, just carry on with what you already do on a day to day basis. You will just need to record your experience as you go about your daily foster care tasks and use this as the evidence for your NVQ.
Who can do it?
You do not have to be brilliant at grammar, spelling or writing as long as you and your assessor can understand what you are trying to say. That's all that counts!
You will be assigned your own assessor who will arrange regular meetings with you to help you understand the award and what is required of you. Assessors are there to support and advise you and to listen to your views and value your experience as an approved foster carer.
NVQ is not just for new carers, anyone can take up the challenge. It does not matter if you have been fostering for 20 years or just 1 year. NVQ can be rewarding and an enjoyable experience.
What's involved?
NVQ will take up at least 3 hours of your time each week and up to 18 months to complete. You will also have the opportunity to attend regular sessions designed to provide the underpinning knowledge required for your NVQ. The sessions have proved to be invaluable in helping people meet other carers and staff from residential units, who also attend the sessions.
If you're interested, contact Julian Chadwick on 01392 384943, email: julian.chadwick@devon.gov.uk
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