Training and support

OBF Training And Support (1)

There is no 'I' in team

At Olive Branch we really do believe that  we never stop learning because life never stops teaching. That’s why we have created a culture of continuous learning and development where we learn from each other, share ideas, and grow together as a better, smarter agency. 

We want our colleagues and our foster carers to be the best at what they do, we invest in their learning and want them to develop along with the agency. We know that the strength of our team is in their knowledge and experience, and we do our best to support our carer’s learning needs and always take great pride in our foster carers’ achievements. 

All our foster carers receive regular training to keep them abreast of the current regulations and statutory requirements. We also deliver specifically tailored training to meet the needs of children and foster carers, this may be in an area that is specific to the placement and is done on a one-to-one basis. 

Support - No problems, only solutions!

We understand the role of a foster carer can sometimes be challenging, which is why we offer a support package to all our foster carers to help them provide the best possible care for their children and young people looked-after. We do everything we can for our foster carers and children. That’s why we offer: 

  • An on-call social worker 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for any issues outside of office hours. A member of staff is contactable at all times. 

  • Your own dedicated social worker who will visit you at least once a month and will be available over the phone, email, and text.  

  • Direct access to the senior management team who are always happy to hear from foster carers. 

  • Regular fostering forums every quarter where all our carers come together for training and discussions. 

  • A child social care advocate, who works directly with birth children and foster children to help them with any issues and also fun activities throughout the year. 

  • Regular foster carer support groups, and we encourage all foster carers to attend to share their experiences and receive peer support. 

  • We will commit to supporting the birth children of foster carers, as they are essential to securing a positive family experience for children in care. 

  • Complimentary access to legal and financial advice lines.  

The entire Olive Branch team who will look after you in all situations.

 

Training, development and support

We consider the training and development of our foster carers as a vital part of their time with us. Therefore, through our allocated supervising social workers, we help every foster carer achieve the 'Training, Support and Development Standards' course, which is mandatory training to be completed within the first 12 months of fostering. 

In addition, we also offer mandatory training courses to help develop the skills of our carers so they can offer the best possible care to their placement children. These courses are regularly updated, but here are some which we offer: 

  • Child protection

  • Working with children who have been abused

  • Safe Caring

  • Managing difficult behaviour

  • Managing and promoting contact

  • Identity and self-esteem

  • Valuing diversity and promoting equality

  • Recording

  • First aid

  • Health and safety

  • Health care of fostered children and young people

  • Education of fostered children and young people

  • Empowering children and young people

  • Preparing children and young people for adulthood

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What support can you expect?

In your role as a foster carer, the formal support you receive will be extensive, covering your own training and development, alongside 24/7 assistance with any issues or queries.

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What are the roles and responsibilities of foster parents

Common Questions

There are lots! Once approved as a foster carer, there are many opportunities to learn more about keeping children safe, managing behaviour, developing self-esteem in children, first aid, and many, many, more! 

Once approved as a foster carer, you will be allocated a supervising social worker. They will visit you once a fortnight to discuss your foster child’s progress. In addition to this, members of our team are available for you to speak with at any time, day or night, 365 days a year. There are also regular local foster carer support meetings; a chance for you to meet up with our other foster carers in your area.

Here at Olive Branch Fostering we offer face to face training and also virtual. This will be dependant on your location and the type of training it is. 

Could you open your heart and home to a child who needs a fresh start and a safe space to call home?

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