The CWDC Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers

New foster carers must demonstrate that they meet the Training, Support and Development (TSD) Standards within twelve months of their approval to foster children and young people.

CWDC launched the Training, Support & Development Standards for Foster Carers in May 2007. The standards are accompanied by a guide for foster carers, a workbook and guidance for managers, supervising social workers and trainers. From April 2008 all fostering services are expected to be implementing the standards.

• CWDC Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care [PDF - 1.3 Mb]
• Foster care intro leaflet [PDF - 275 Kb]
• A guide for foster carers [PDF - 1.3 Mb]
• Guidance for managers, supervising social workers and trainers [PDF - 1.6 Mb]

• Foster care standards induction workbook [PDF - 427.5 Kb]

Please note: due to the high cost of printing the workbooks, we are currently restricting the number of foster care induction workbooks to 25 per organisation. We are encouraging organisations to access other formats.

All publications orders are now routed through our online ordering system at http://publications.cwdcouncil.org.uk.

CD-rom workbook

An interactive CD ROM version of the foster care standards' workbook is now available. This format enables carers to type or paste their evidence into the relevant sections and save to their PC.  It's very simple to use and offers a convenient alternative for many carers, particularly those with limited internet access.

The CD-rom is available through out online ordering system http://publications.cwdcouncil.org.uk.

Online workbook

As an alternative to the printed workbook, CWDC has developed a saveable online version to help foster carers work through the standards in a more flexible way. You can access the online workbook and set up an account at http://fcworkbook.cwdcouncil.org.uk.

Additional practice guidance now available

This guidance has been developed in response to feedback from foster care providers that they would like further guidance and support. It captures key learning from CWDC's early implementation and from recent consultations with providers.

• Practice guidance  - CWDC TSD Standards for Foster Care (September 2009) [PDF - 274 Kb]

Foster care development portfolio folder inserts

Also available to download is a set of CWDC folder inserts to be used as a cover for foster carer development portfolios ring-binders.

• Front cover insert for foster carer development folder [PDF - 609 Kb]
• Spine cover insert for foster carer development folder [PDF - 23.5 Kb]
• Back cover insert for foster carer development folder [PDF - 441 kb]

About the standards

We have developed these standards to support the training and development of foster carers. The standards set out the key areas of training that foster carers will need before they are approved and what they need after approval.

These Training, Support and Development Standards build on the work of the CWDC induction standards which were launched in September 2006.

There are seven Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care:

• Standard 1: Understand the principles and values essential for fostering children and young people
• Standard 2: Understand your role as a foster carer
• Standard 3: Understand health and safety, and healthy caring
• Standard 4: Know how to communicate effectively
• Standard 5: Understand the development of children and young people
• Standard 6: Safeguard children and young people (keep them safe from harm)
• Standard 7: Develop yourself

For more information about the standards and guidance on how to use them, please download the documents listed earlier on this page or download this TSD standards training presentation [PDF - 318.5 Kb] from the Fostering Network which gives more detailed information.