Training & Support
As a foster carer for Ealing there will always be someone there to support you. We have a dedicated fostering support workers and an out-of-hours service, which you can rely on 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
You don’t need any formal qualifications to be a foster carer. We provide a comprehensive training package, from pre-approval training to specialist courses, which includes the opportunity to gain a level three diploma in child care. Our courses are timed to suit you around school pick-ups, drop-offs, evenings and weekends.
Our training package includes a whole range of different courses from practical courses such as first aid and health safety awareness to understanding child development and managing behaviour. We have training for whatever age child you want to look after form pre-school to working with teenagers.
We have recently added an exciting new program called, ‘Nurturing attachments’ which gives our carers an overview of attachment theory. This in-depth course helps carers to really understand the effects of the experiences children have had. It teaches carers how to build relationships with children and explore different approaches to managing and reacting to behaviour.
See our training brochure for details on the range of courses offered.
Support groups
We hold monthly support groups where you can meet other carers, share ideas, experiences and make new friends. We have also recently set up a men’s support group.
We also have a support group for people before they are approved, to make sure they feel supported throughout the approval process.
Buddy Scheme
Once you are approved we’ll link you up with an experienced carer who you can call on for informal advice and support.
Foster carer preparation groups
Everyone interested in becoming a foster carer will need to attend our preparation training course. This course covers all the basics you would need to know to feel confident to foster. Most people who attend really enjoy the course and get a lot out of it even if they then decide not to go any further. The course is held in Ealing and is by invitation only following the initial visit to your home.
We usually hold four initial training groups a year. The course is over four days – a Thursday evening 6-9pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm and Monday 6-9pm.