Foster carer support and committee meetings
Support
- Preparation courses and training
- Individual link workers
- Peer Support Co-ordinator
- Buddying Scheme
- Payments for Skills-Fostering & Child Allowance
- Regular Support and Committee Meetings/Informal coffee mornings
- 24 hour help line service
Training
Preparation courses
All foster carers are required to attend a preparation course as recommended by the Fostering Network (the leading UK charity supporting those involved in fostering). The course is based on adult learning methods and consists of a mixture of presentation from staff and group discussions, which draw on personal experience. Put formal teaching to the back of your minds and don’t even think about exams! Because the preparation courses rely on group and individual contributions, a commitment from all participants to attend is crucial and since the programme relies heavily on individual willingness to share feelings, beliefs and experiences, some ground rules are essential, they include:
Confidentiality
An understanding not to share any personal information from the group with others. This is particularly relevant given the access that foster carers routinely have to sensitive information about children and their families.
Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination
The training to become a foster carer will focus upon valuing the uniqueness of individuals and families.
Foster carers need to be able to respect individuals and groups for their different characteristics and learn how prejudice affects everyone.
All participants will be encouraged to consider their backgrounds and make a commitment to constructively challenging racism or any other discriminatory behaviour.
Group contract
At the start of the course, the group will be invited to negotiate a contract, which sets out expectations ranging from timekeeping to handling situations/problems. This is a process often used when working with children in placement.
Post approval training
Once you have become an approved foster carer, we offer full and comprehensive training opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills for example the NVQ Training and Children and Young Persons Award.
Meetings
Foster carers have regular support meetings and meet informally through coffee mornings and trips. We also have a fostering committee that meets once a month to form newsletters and consult on recent issues.
A Peer Support Co-ordinator is available to advise and help all foster carers.
Consultation
Foster carers are involved with all parts of the service from fee reviews to marketing campaigns and we run regular consultation groups for carers.
Counselling/24 hour helpline
All foster carers are given out of hours support with the family placement and emergency response teams. There is also a 24 hour counselling service available to all foster carers which is confidential
Contact us
Fostering and Adoption Services in Walsall
106 Essington Road
New Invention
Willenhall WV12 5EX
Enquiries Freephone 0800 923 3706
All other calls 0845 111 2834
Fax 01922 493824
Email familyplacementsservices@walsall.gov.uk