Foster carers get training boost from Children’s Workforce Development Council

Foster carers are to benefit from the first set of England-wide standards to support their training and development which are being launched by the Children’s Workforce Development Council.

The standards are intended to act as a national benchmark for foster carers and come with a framework to guide training and professional development.

Jane Haywood, chief executive of the CWDC, said the standards would help employers to lay “firm foundations” for skills and knowledge during the first two years of fostering.

“Foster carers do an important but often difficult job and these standards are a way to help carers be recognised as trained professionals who have a real impact on the lives of children and young people they care for,” she added.

Parmijit Dhanda, junior children’s minister, said the standards aimed to address the “significant variations” in the quality of foster care and promote a more consistent approach.

Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers will be officially launched on May 24 and a supporting workbook will be available from next month.

The CWDC is also making funding for up to 100 research projects available for practitioners who want to explore what it is like to work in the children’s workforce.

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 Maria Ahmed