Question
Untitled item
S5W-20409 · Written Question · lodged by Smith, Elaine
Lodged on
05 Dec 2018Heard / answered on
20 Dec 2018To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that high-quality training opportunities and skills development are available for all foster carers.
The answer
Responsibility for ensuring that high quality training opportunities and skills development are available to foster carers approved by them lies with the relevant local authority, independent or voluntary fostering agency.
The new Health and Social Care Standards published in April 2018, used by the Care Inspectorate for their inspection of fostering services include "I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and their professional and organisational codes"
We also know that the Fostering Network provide widely used pre-approval "Skills to Foster" training to provide new foster carers with a firm foundation of skills and knowledge to equip them for the role. Both the Fostering Network and fostering agencies also provide a wide range of post-approval training and development opportunities for foster carers.
Following a recommendation of the National Review of Foster Care (2013) to bring a more consistent approach, the Scottish Government commissioned Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to develop a learning development Standard for foster carers. It was published in April 2017 and we will be considering options for implementation of the new Standard in the context of the Independent Care Review.
The new Health and Social Care Standards published in April 2018, used by the Care Inspectorate for their inspection of fostering services include "I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and their professional and organisational codes"
We also know that the Fostering Network provide widely used pre-approval "Skills to Foster" training to provide new foster carers with a firm foundation of skills and knowledge to equip them for the role. Both the Fostering Network and fostering agencies also provide a wide range of post-approval training and development opportunities for foster carers.
Following a recommendation of the National Review of Foster Care (2013) to bring a more consistent approach, the Scottish Government commissioned Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to develop a learning development Standard for foster carers. It was published in April 2017 and we will be considering options for implementation of the new Standard in the context of the Independent Care Review.
Answered by Maree Todd on 20 Dec 2018.