Additional Support & Training
At Blackpool Council, we believe that foster carers should receive the very best training, which starts during the assessment process.
After all, becoming a foster carer is a big step and takes some adjustment. That’s why we include additional therapeutic and specialist training programmes during the assessment process to support foster carers in developing the following skills and knowledge:
- Reflecting on, support and inform parenting approaches using the Secure Base Model.
- Recognising and understanding the attachment needs of children.
- Knowing when a child’s development has gone offline (by establishing developmental lagging skills) and how to get things back on track.
- Understanding the impact of trauma on the brain and development.
- Establishing therapeutic parenting approaches to support the foster journey.
- Communicating with children through the effective use of resources and methods to connect.
Specific support for foster carers caring for children exiting our residential provision
Foster carers who care for children from our residential provision are matched with children based on their ability to support the child’s therapeutic needs.
In this scenario, the foster carer receives a planned transition from professionals who know the child well. They are supported to understand the child’s history and lived experience to help them successfully meet the child’s needs.
Once the child is ready to join their foster family, our support does not stop. Following the move from residential to foster care, our specialist team of professionals delivers a 12-week outreach programme of support.
Since every child has different care needs, each outreach programme is individualised to meet the needs of the child and their foster carers.
- Therapist
- Key Carer
- Specialised Teaching Assistant
- Seniors who have an in-depth knowledge of the child’s holistic development and needs. They have a comprehensive of the child’s journey from birth to present day and have assessed and developed effective interventions that are shared with the foster carer who is supported to implement such strategies and parenting approaches.
Our outreach programme team operates an ‘on call’ system to discuss any challenges during the first 12 weeks.
Regular meetings are also held that may include ongoing sessions/check-ins with the child, support for foster carers, and/or joint sessions with the foster carer and child.
The purpose behind our programme of support is to enable a successful transition and promote stability for the child.
We are delighted to say that the foster carers who have experienced our specialist support have found the process incredibly helpful.
To join our community of foster carers, get in touch
We would love to hear from you, contact us.