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Foster carer apprenticeships

Social care

Foster carer apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this role through:

  • a college course
  • specialist courses run by training organisations


    • College

    You could prepare for foster care work by taking a college qualification, though this is not essential. Courses include: 

    • Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings 
    • Level 2 Award in Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People 
    • Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce
    You'll usually need 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a Level 1 course. You'll neeed 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course. 

    Other Routes
    You could become a foster carer by contacting your local council fostering service. You can also foster through independent agencies. You would go through a preparation and assessment programme to make sure you could meet the needs of each child or young person placed with you.

    During a preparation programme you would: 

    • do pre-approval training, learn skills and get ready for fostering 
    • attend groups to learn about the needs of children coming into foster care 
    • have visits to your home by a social worker 
    Fostering service providers will usually organise training to fit in with people who are working during the week, so this may take place in the evening or at weekends. Becoming a foster carer is open to you, whatever your marital status, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

    Having childcare experience of either working with, or caring for children, including your own or relatives' children can be useful. Your whole family will be involved in fostering, so it's important that everyone is clear about what is involved.


    Foster carer apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • sensitivity and understanding 
    • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations 
    • the ability to work well with others 
    • to be flexible and open to change 
    • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure 
    • excellent verbal communication skills 
    • the ability to understand people’s reactions 
    • thinking and reasoning skills
    • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
    Restrictions and Requirements
    You'll need to: 

    • be over 21 years of age
    • pass enhanced background checks
    You'll also need: 

    • a spare bedroom for each child 
    • the ability to foster full-time - though there may be some exceptions to this If there are 2 adults in your household who want to become foster parents, you'll both be expected to pass the relevant assessments. 
    Following checks, your social worker would prepare a report that's presented to an independent fostering panel to decide whether you can become a foster carer.

    Foster carer apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In this role you could: 

    • welcome a child or young person to be part of your family 
    • give day-to-day care to meet physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs 
    • set suitable boundaries for behaviour 
    • help with school work and promote a positive attitude to education 
    • keep young people safe from harm and abuse 
    • work with other professionals 
    • put forward the views of young people in your care, even if you disagree with them 
    • involve parents where possible 
    • help the young person move on, in a positive way, to their next setting
    Working environment
    Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

    Career path and progression - Foster carer apprenticeships

    With experience, you could set up your own fostering agency.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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