Looking after other people’s children isn’t the same as looking after your own children. There are laws and regulations that advise what things you have to work to. There are also special skills needed to work with some of the behaviours and challenges you may face as a foster carer and you will need to have regular support meetings with one of our qualified supervising social workers (see support section).

All of this may seem a bit daunting but we don’t expect you to know everything straight away and at Kasper we believe ‘we never stop learning’.

Our training is designed to provide you with opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills whilst gaining support, ideas and experience from other carers.

Training is delivered by experienced child care practitioners using a variety of methods to ensure participants get the most out of each event. We recognise that not everyone has had positive past experiences of training/learning events. Your supervising social worker (once you are approved as a Foster Carer) will complete an individual Personal Development Plan with you, which will look in more detail at learning styles and the courses that have to be attended and build upon any previous learning you may have undertaken.

The philosophy of Kasper is very much based on a ‘team approach’ to fostering and, in promoting this, the following support services are offered to our foster carers:

* Named Qualified Supervising SW
Fortnightly support visits and bi Monthly supervision visits from their own experienced social worker. Fortnightly support visits from the same worker as standard. Additional contact/support is made available as and when required.

* Sessional Workers
Direct work with children providing a range of activities (both in and outside the foster home): escort children to contact and supervise as needed; provide daytime breaks for foster carers.

• Specialist Workers
Independent workers who provide services to meet children’s identified needs e.g. specialist teachers, psychotherapists etc.

* Out of Hours Support
Telephone support/help line available 24/7, including Bank Holidays.

* Annual Leave/Respite Care
Whilst carers are expected to have their own network of support they are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave/respite per year. Daytime respite care may also be provided where there is an identified need. Kasper are committed to the assessment and approval of friends and family as respite carers.

* Support Groups
Regular meetings with other foster carers in the organisation

* Regular Newsletters
To foster carers, children and staff.

* Holiday Activity Days
Fun days out for carers and families.

To view a printable pdf file of our Foster carers training brochure, click here.