Kent foster carers gain NVQ and BTEC qualifications

27 April 2010

Foster carers have been recognised for learning specialist skills to help them in their role.

Kent County Council foster carers have completed courses in health and social care (NVQ level 3) and working with traumatised children (BTEC level 4). An awards ceremony in Maidstone on Monday (26 April) gave the carers a chance to pick up their qualifications.

Their achievements were celebrated and recognised by Liz Totman, KCC’s Head of Specialist Children’s Services.

She said:

“Caring for a family, working full time and studying is hard work.  Foster carers are to be congratulated as they do all of this, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also give praise and thanks to their families who have supported them.”

Pamela Bond, a foster carer from Dartford, has completed the health and social care course (NVQ level 3). She said:

“I really enjoyed all of the course and the chance to meet other foster carers. The support from my family and the KCC fostering team was great. It is brilliant this training is available to help us do our jobs. I want to go on and do further training. Carers are seen as professionals these days which is how it should be.”

All Kent County Council registered foster carers are given an induction programme during their first year of fostering and are offered on-going training and development opportunities to enable them to care for Kent's foster children.

Kent County Council’s Fostering Service would like to recruit 120 more foster carers who can offer a caring family for local children. 

Anyone who would like to find out more about becoming a Kent County Council foster carer can contact the fostering team on 0845 330 2968 or take a look at our website www.kent.gov.uk/fostering.