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The Skills to Foster®

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. 

The Skills to Foster content

The new edition incorporates the following six sessions:  

 

  1. What children need

  2. Fostering relationships

  3. A protective and loving home

  4. Therapeutic care

  5. Supporting identity  

  6. Transitions and endings 

 

Webinar

Did you know:

70 fostering services

have already signed up to The Skills to Foster

Join our live webinar on 5 December to learn how you can give your carers the best start in their fostering journey.
Sign up to webinar

Feedback for The Skills to Foster

The course was planned very well, very interesting, I like the fact foster carers were there who could talk about their experiences. Very insightful, really enjoyed, highly recommend.

Foster Carer

Online learning platform

This new edition of The Skills to Foster coincides with the introduction of The Fostering Network’s online eLearning platform. ​All course materials are conveniently accessible to trainers alongside additional learning resources for applicants.​ Fostering services can be confident that The Skills to Foster will contain information that is continuously up to date and reflective of best practice.   

The Skills to Foster pack

The Skills to Foster can be purchased in the following packs:

Applicants Link Price Price per carer
up to 15 Buy £599.00 £40
up to 20 Buy £699.00

£35
up to 30 Buy £959.00

£32
up to 40 Buy £1,199.00

£30
up to 60 Buy £1,739.00

£29
up to 80 Buy £2,239.00

£28
up to 100 Buy £2,699.00

£27
up to 150 Buy £3,899.00

£26
up to 200 Buy £4,999.00

£25
over 200 Chat with us POA

POA

 

Included in each pack: 

  • 3x trainer/admin profiles with digital access to all delivery material (additional licenses available) 

  • Applicant licenses with access to the course workbook and eLearning courses

Got questions about how the new Skills to Foster can work for your service?

Meet with us Chat with us View our FAQ's

The Skills to Foster training

The Fostering Network are offering training delivery for your service in the following ways: 

Commissioned training

Pre-approval

We can offer this training to your applicants directly, via private commission.  The course is delivered over three days to a maximum of 12 fostering households on any one course. 

 

  Members Non-members
Virtual £2,995 + VAT (£250 per household) £3,995 + VAT
In person £4,195 + VAT and expenses (£350 per household) £5,195 + VAT

 

Train the trainer

Our three day course is designed to equip attendees to deliver our renowned The Skills to Foster pre-approval training. This course for up to 12 trainers, will provide attendees with everything they need to feel confident to deliver pre approval training. 

  Members Non-members
Virtual £3,495 + VAT  £4,395 + VAT
In person £4,495 + VAT and expenses  £5,495 + VAT

 

Open access training

Pre-approval

We run monthly open access courses enabling services to access pre approval training for new applicants as soon as they require it, removing delays and ensuring responsive recruitment. Book households onto one of our training courses via our events calendar. 

  • Virtual: £325 + VAT 
  • In person: £425 +VAT (training happens in London) 

Train the trainer

We will equip trainers with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively deliver The Skills to Foster. Book trainers onto one of our training courses via our events calendar. 

  • Virtual: £495 + VAT 
  • In person: £ 595 +VAT 

See our open course calendar or speak to us to commission training.

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Website and contents copyright © The Fostering Network 2025. Registered in England and Wales as a limited company 1507277. Registered charity in England and Wales 280852 and in Scotland SC039338. Registered address: 87 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8HA

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