Contribute to learning framework for foster carers in Scotland
If you are a foster carer, run a foster care agency or work in the foster care team at your local authority, then you could help to develop Scotland’s learning and development framework for foster carers.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) are developing this framework which was informed by the National Foster Care Review (2013). The review recommended the Scottish Government ‘commission a national learning and development framework for foster care, underwritten by new National Care Standards (Fostering) or Regulations’.
The framework will have two mandatory elements.
Element one, for new carers, will consist of two courses; a preparatory course for prospective foster carers ie after applying to become a foster carer but before being approved and an induction course for foster carers who have been approved up to their first annual review.
Element two, will involve a programme of continuous skills, knowledge learning and development opportunities for experienced carers ie for foster carers have who have successfully completed their first annual review.
The SSSC are working with LMG Associates on the first phase to identify learning and development opportunities that foster carers and their agencies believe should form part of the framework and that’s where they hope you can help them by sharing your views and experiences.
Survey A is for foster carers or if you are representing a foster care agency or local authority, you should complete survey B.
This will help identify:
- the qualifications that foster carers already hold
- the learning and development opportunities that are currently being used by agencies and local authorities to support the development of foster carers and
- the learning and development opportunities that should form part of the learning and development framework for foster carers.
Following on from the surveys, a report will be produced which will be used to help write the learning and development framework due in March 2015. It is expected that this will be followed by phase two, the implementation of the framework, later in 2015.
The surveys will close on Friday 31 October 2014.
If you have difficulty in accessing either survey or if you have any further questions please contact Franziska Toma at [email protected] or call 01382 346432.
