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New foster carers will be assigned an experienced carer as
a `Buddy/Mentor` to support them through the initial months of
becoming an approved foster carer.
Each foster carer will have a personal development plan
completed with their fostering social worker to highlight your
individual training needs for the next twelve months and how these
will be met. This will be reviewed on an annual basis as part of
the annual foster carer review. A Training Portfolio will also be
given to collect evidence of your continual learning.
On completion of each course you will be asked to complete a
Learning Log to note down what you have learnt from the course and
how you are applying this to your care of children and young
people. This will be discussed with your fostering social worker
and go towards developing your training portfolio.
The Training Steering Group, which includes representatives from
all the Fostering Teams across the County and foster carers, will
meet regularly to evaluate and plan training. Your views on
training are most welcome and you can feedback through your
Training Steering Group area representative, your fostering social
worker and your Course Evaluation.
The training programme has been designed to avoid school
holidays and is generally based around school times.
A Resource Library is available and on-line learning
opportunities.
Support Groups
Support groups for foster carers are well established across the
County and provide a valuable opportunity for foster carers to meet
together, share concerns and ideas, and develop their learning.
We encourage regular attendance at support groups for new and
existing foster carers. Details of local Support Groups in your
area with contact names and numbers are available from your local
fostering team.
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