The Skills to Foster®

The Skills to Foster open access course, enables services to access pre approval training for new applicants, delivered by The Fostering Network.

The Skills to Foster® is the UK’s leading preparation training course for prospective foster carers produced by The Fostering Network. Designed to equip prospective foster carers with the knowledge and skills they need to care for children who need foster care​.

The new edition, launched in June 2025 has been carefully designed and updated to reflect approaches that underpin fostering practice across the UK. It is child-centred, relationship-based, trauma-informed and incorporates ideas and principles from the Reflective Fostering Programme by Anna Freud.

It is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, offering 18 hours of CPD Certification.

Aims and objectives:

• Explaining why some children need to be fostered, the impact of trauma, and what children need to flourish.

• Enabling you to explore the various relationships involved in fostering and how you will work as part of a team to meet children’s needs.

• Outlining how foster carers meet the needs of children by providing a protective and loving home, understanding and supporting identity, and navigating times of change and transition.

• Introducing the foundational knowledge and skills you need to provide care for children that is protective, therapeutic, and reflective.

• Helping you reflect on how fostering will impact you and your family, including any aspects of your life that you may need to adapt to meet the needs of children.

Booking details:

Member rate £325 plus VAT per household

Non-member rate £425 plus VAT per household

This three day course will be delivered virtually, registration will begin at 9:00, confirmed delegates will be sent joining instructions by email a few days before the course start date.

For more information contact [email protected].

View our cancellation policy