Curriculum framework to improve fostering and adoption training

The College of Social Work has launched a new continuing professional development training guide which is designed to improve and standardise social worker training in fostering and adoption.

The College’s new ‘Curriculum Framework for CPD on Planning and Supporting Permanence’ is designed to be a tool for educators and trainers that will enable social workers to have a complete understanding of reunification, family and friends care, long-term foster care, special guardianship and adoption.

It also guides them through relevant child development theory and research, empowering them to provide the best possible care and support for looked after children. The training guide was drafted by social work experts Prof Gillian Schofield and John Simmonds, with input from a wide consultation group of fostering and adoption professionals and service users. The combined expert knowledge across law, policy, research and children and families social work practice has produced the framework to drive up standards across social work education.

Children and Families Minister, Edward Timpson, said: “Social workers carry out an important and difficult job, taking tough and complicated decisions every day to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children. We are improving the skills and experience of the workforce and have asked Sir Martin Narey to carry out a review of social work training. This guide will prove an invaluable tool as they strive to deliver the very best for looked after children.”

TCSW Chief Executive Annie Hudson said: “We recognise that social workers need a thorough working knowledge of the fostering and adoption system and child development in order to make the best decisions on behalf of the children they support.

“This CPD curriculum guide is designed to bring more consistency to fostering and adoption training across England, so that social workers can be confident that they are receiving high quality and relevant training that will improve standards of practice.”

The curriculum framework will be used by local authorities, higher education institutions and any other agencies providing fostering and adoption training for social workers. It is fully integrated with the College’s Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and is relevant to social workers at each level of the PCF.

Download the Curriculum Framework for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on Planning and Supporting Permanence: reunification, family and friends care, long-term foster care, special guardianship and adoption.