Training for Different Foster Care Placements

Training for Different Foster Care Placements

Are you thinking about fostering, but feeling unsure about what training you'll need or what support you'll get for the different types of placements?

You're not alone. Some of the first questions people ask us are:

“What if I get a placement I’m not used to?”

“How will I cope if I’ve never done this kind of fostering before?”

“What training do I actually get for each placement?”

Maybe you're curious about emergency placements, worried about looking after teenagers, or wondering what’s different about therapeutic or parent-and-child fostering. It can all feel a bit daunting.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Our job is to help you feel prepared, confident, and supported every step of the way, no matter what kind of fostering you choose.

Understanding the Different Types of Foster Care Placements

Before we look at training, it helps to know the different types of fostering you might come across:

• Short-term fostering: Looking after a child for a few days, weeks, or months while plans are made for their future. You help them feel secure through times of change.)
• Long-term fostering: Welcoming a child into your home until they reach adulthood. You become their steady, caring presence over the years. It’s the best option when they can’t go back to their birth family and adoption isn’t the right fit.
• Emergency fostering: For children who need a safe place at very short notice, sometimes just overnight. You provide comfort and stability when it’s needed most.
• Respite fostering: Giving full-time carers a short break. You offer children a fun, safe stay and help everyone recharge.
• Therapeutic fostering: Supporting children with complex emotional or behavioural needs. You’ll receive extra training to help them heal and grow.
• Parent and child fostering: Caring for a young parent and their baby together. You guide and support them as they learn to look after their little one.
• Fostering teenagers: Helping teens find their way through tricky years. You support their independence and self-confidence.
• Fostering unaccompanied asylum-seeking children: Caring for young people who arrive in the UK alone. You help them settle and feel safe in a new country.
• Fostering siblings
  Keeping brothers and sisters together. You help siblings stay close and feel like family.

Each type comes with its own joys, challenges, and practical considerations. That’s why training for different foster care placements is tailored to help you handle the unique realities of each one.

How Training Prepares You for Every Kind of Placement

The Basics: “Skills to Foster” and Essential Training

No matter what kind of fostering you do, everyone starts with our “Skills to Foster” course. It’s a two-day introduction to all the essentials. You'll learn about:

• Child protection and safe caring
• Managing behaviour
• Identity, diversity, and promoting self-esteem
• First aid and health care
• Working with schools, therapists, and birth families
  
  

You’ll meet other people who are new to fostering, share worries, and realise you’re not alone. The goal is to make sure you leave feeling less anxious and much more equipped for your first placement.

Mandatory Training: Setting the Foundation

Within your first year, you’ll complete the Training, Support and Development Standards (TSD). This is a national requirement, but at Olive Branch, we make it feel personal, with your supervising social worker guiding you at every step. This programme covers everything from building positive relationships to understanding the legal side of fostering in the UK.

Tailored Training for Different Types of Placements

Not all placements are the same, and neither is the training. Here’s how we match your learning to the type of fostering you want to do:

1. Emergency Fostering

You may get a call late at night, so we focus on how to:

• Stay calm and manage uncertainty
• Welcome a child who may be frightened or confused
• Access support at short notice (our 24/7 helpline is a lifeline!)
  
  

2. Short-Term and Long-Term Fostering

You’ll get extra training on:

• Building trust and routines with children at different ages
• Supporting contact with birth families (where appropriate)
• Helping children settle, and then move on safely if needed
  
  

3. Therapeutic Fostering

This is for children with more complex backgrounds. Specialist courses include:

• Understanding trauma and attachment
• Supporting emotional wellbeing
• Managing challenging behaviours with empathy
  You’ll always have extra support and regular reflective sessions, so you never feel like you’re facing it all alone.
  
  

4. Parent and Child Fostering

These placements are unique. Training covers:

• Supporting young parents to build parenting skills
• Setting safe boundaries while being non-judgmental
• Working as part of a wider professional team
  
  

5. Fostering Teenagers

Teenage years can be a tricky time for any family! We focus on:

• Communicating with teenagers
• Supporting independence and life skills
• Managing risk and building trust
  
  

6. Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children

You’ll learn about:

• Cultural awareness and trauma-informed care
• Helping children settle into a new country
• Navigating language and legal barriers
  
  

7. Respite Fostering

For carers who offer short-term breaks, training helps you:

• Build quick connections with children you may not know well
• Understand routines and needs in a short time
  
  

Ongoing Training and Support: You’re Never Left on Your Own

Learning doesn’t stop once you’re approved. With Olive Branch, you’ll have regular training sessions, including new topics as they arise. We listen to carers’ feedback and develop courses based on real-life experiences, so our programme stays fresh and relevant.

Some of the most popular ongoing sessions include:

• Internet safety and social media awareness
• Mental health first aid
• Preparing young people for adulthood
• First aid refreshers
• Courses on SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
  
  

And if you ever need something more specialised, we’ll arrange it, either through our own team or trusted external trainers. There’s always an opportunity to keep learning.

Community Support and Mentoring

You’re never expected to have all the answers.
Our support network means you’ll always have someone to turn to:

• A dedicated social worker who checks in monthly
• 24/7 helpline for emergencies or late-night worries
• Peer support groups where you can chat, share, and ask questions
• Regular carer-led events and family outings, so you feel part of a real community

What If You’re Transferring from Another Agency?

Thinking of transferring to Olive Branch? You’ll find our approach genuinely welcoming. We’ll work with you to map your existing experience, fill any training gaps, and support you through the transition. You’ll never feel like “just a number” here.

Why Training Matters: Real Confidence for Real-Life Fostering

Training for different foster care placements isn’t just about ticking boxes.
It’s about helping you feel confident, capable, and ready for whatever fostering brings—whether it’s a late-night emergency or supporting a child for years to come. At Olive Branch, you’re never alone. From your first day to your hundredth, we’re here to guide, encourage, and back you up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special qualifications to start foster carer training?
No. All you need is the right attitude, a willingness to learn, and a spare room. We’ll teach you the rest and support you every step.

What training will I get for specialist placements?
If you care for children with additional needs (like therapeutic fostering, parent and child, or asylum-seeking children), you’ll receive extra, targeted training before your first placement and ongoing as needed.

What if I find something tough, even after training?
That’s completely normal. There’s always someone at Olive Branch to talk to: your supervising social worker, peer mentors, or our helpline. We’ll work with you to build your skills and confidence.

Can I access training if I already have experience?
Yes! We encourage all carers to refresh and expand their knowledge. Our training is open to everyone, whether you’re brand new or have years of experience.

Will I be paid while training?
You’ll receive a fostering allowance as soon as a child is placed with you. All training is provided free of charge, and our support package includes a generous allowance, paid breaks, and additional benefits such as FosterTalk membership and high street discounts.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Fostering is an incredible journey, one filled with both challenges and rewards. With Olive Branch, you’ll never be left wondering what to do next. Our training for different foster care placements is designed to help you feel confident, cared for, and truly part of our community.

Curious about joining or transferring?
Get in touch for a friendly chat or request your free information pack. We’re here to answer every question, big or small.

Related reading:

• Types of fostering
  
  
• Fostering process
  
  
• Allowance and benefits