Foundations to Foster
Foundations to Foster training is a next step in considering fostering a local child for Telford & Wrekin.
Select date and time
Location
Telford Central Fire Station - Shropshire FRS
1 Stafford Park 1 Telford TF3 3BW United KingdomAbout this event
Free Foundations to Foster Training Courses with Telford & Wrekin Fostering
Foundations to Foster training is a next step in considering fostering a local child for Telford & Wrekin. We appreciate what a big decision this is and offer you the opportunity to take the Foundations to Foster training without any obligation.
Foundations to Foster is essential training if you want to progress on your fostering journey. It is designed to prepare you for the role of fostering.
Time commitment
There are two options running alternate months. You can commit to two consecutive Saturdays from 9am – 2pm or to three weekday evenings, 6pm - 9pm to complete your training in person.
Locations
Saturdays: Admaston House
Weekday evenings: Telford Central Fire Station 1 Stafford Park 1, Telford TF3 3BW
Research and information
The course helps you to make an informed decision. If you would like time to understand more about the role before progressing to the next stage, you are welcome to join Foundations to Foster before you apply. We will take some basic information to enrol you and arrange an ititial visit to your home for a no obligation chat with you.
Ready to apply
If you have already made your decision to apply to us to foster, on receipt of your application form, our training facilitator, Beth will contact you to discuss your training.
We invite applicants to complete Foundations to Foster at the same time as undergoing their assessment. If you prefer, you can choose to complete your training first.
Here is a taster of what you can expect from your Foundations to Foster training in preparation for your role as a foster carer.
About Foundations to Foster
The Foundations to Foster course delivers pre-approval training. Designed to prepare you for the role of fostering, it also helps you make an informed decision.
The focus of your training is on the practical day-to-day skills that all foster carers need. It gives you the opportunity to explore the role of fostering in detail.
The training is compulsory, and each applicant must complete the course. This means that if you are applying as a couple, both of you need to attend the training.
Course delivery
Telford Fostering delivers this series of workshops in a supportive, informal group. It is an opportunity to learn with others who are at the same stage in the fostering journey as you.
The Telford Fostering training facilitator leads the workshops. Other members of the team support the training. Each bring many years of experience working with both foster carers and children.
We also invite an experienced foster carer to help deliver the training. They bring personal insight to the fostering process. A foster carer can answer your questions from their lived experience – no matter how big or small.
Booking Details
Book your place on the first date of the course you would like to attend.
- Tuesday 16th, 23rd and 30th September - Telford Central Fire Station
- Saturday 4th and 11th October - Admaston House
- Tuesday 18th and 25th November and Tuesday 2nd December - Telford Central Fire Station
- Saturday 13th and 20th December - Admaston House
- Wednesday 14th, 21st and 28th January - Telford Central Fire Station
- Saturday 14th and 21st February - Admaston House
- Monday 9th, 16th and 23rd March - Telford Central Fire Station
We are happy to have an informal chat with you if you have any questions about fostering or the training course.
Contact Details
You can call us on 01952 387387 between 9am - 5pm or email us at fostering@telford.gov.uk.
Alternatively, visit our website at www.telfordfostering.co.uk and complete our online enquiry form and we will send your our information pack and call you at a time that is most convenient.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your interest in fostering for Telford & Wrekin Council.
Contact Details
You can call us on 01952 387387 between 9am - 5pm or email us at fostering@telford.gov.uk.
Alternatively, visit our website at www.telfordfostering.co.uk and complete our online enquiry form and we will send your our information pack and call you at a time that is most convenient.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your interest in fostering for Telford & Wrekin Council.
Frequently asked questions
You have to be at least 21 to apply to become a foster carer and there is no upper age limit. A reasonable level of maturity and life experience is welcomed.
You don't need any qualifications or fostering experience. It does help to have some experience of working with or caring for children.
Yes, you can foster, you do not need to have had children of your own. Although it does help to have some experience of working with or caring for children.
It does not matter what your religion is and this should not affect your application to foster. Children should be placed with foster families that can meet their needs, including religious needs.
Yes, you can foster. All potential foster carers have a full medical examination to make sure that they can provide the care our children need.
Past mental illness is not a bar to becoming a foster carer, in fact, there is no diagnosis that can automatically prevent you fostering. However, you would need to discuss this with any fostering service that you apply to. A medical report is always sought as part of the assessment process and you
Yes, whether you are employed or unemployed we need to know that you're financially secure and can provide a stable home. If you work, we will need to make sure that your work commitments are flexible, and you could meet the needs of the child.
Yes, if you currently claim welfare benefits you are likely to be able to continue to claim while fostering. Foster Carers are approved rather than employed by their fostering service and this status has a particular effect on means-tested benefits. In the main, fostering payments when a child is pl
Yes, it doesn’t matter whether you own or rent your house, you can still apply to foster.
Yes. Often, we’re responsible for a group of siblings and where we can, we like to place these children with their brothers and sisters, so it’s great if you can offer the space and time to care for more than one child and keep them together.
Most children will need a bedroom of their own, so you do need a spare bedroom to be able to foster for Telford & Wrekin Council.
Yes, it would not prevent you from being a foster carer if you were unable to drive.
You can smoke and foster but to safeguard a child's health, we won't place a child under the age of 5 within a household where somebody smokes. If you decide to give up smoking you must have given up for a period of at least 6 months prior to applying to become a foster carer.
Yes, generally having a dog does not mean you cannot apply to be a foster carer. However, any pet would form part of your assessment.
There are some criminal offences that would prevent you from becoming a foster carer. All offences are looked at and the circumstances of the offence are taken into account when considering your application.