Foster Care Training Online vs. In-Person: Which Is Right for You?

If you're thinking about becoming a foster parent, one of the first things you may ask is: what training do foster carers need? At Family Fostering Partners, we believe that high-quality, accessible training is essential to prepare you for the rewarding and life-changing role of fostering.

But with more flexible options available than ever before, including virtual learning, many potential foster parents are asking: which is better, online or in-person foster care training? The answer is: it depends on your lifestyle, learning style, and personal preferences.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of online foster care training and the benefits of in-person foster care training, to help you decide which format might work best for you.

What Training Do Foster Carers Need?

Before being approved as a foster parent, you'll need to complete our ‘Skills to Foster’ training, a mandatory pre-approval course that covers everything from safeguarding and attachment theory to the day-to-day realities of welcoming a child into your home. You’ll learn about who we are, what we do, and the role and responsibilities of a foster parent. 

Once approved as a foster parent, you'll receive continued development opportunities tailored to your needs and the needs of the children in your care. Some of our training courses include:

• Trauma-informed care
• First aid
• Behavioural support
• Safer caring
• Diversity and inclusion
• Internet safety and more

Whether online or in person, this training will help you to grow in confidence and skill.

Benefits of Online Foster Care Training

Online training has grown significantly in recent years, and for good reason. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Flexibility: You can attend from just about anywhere - ideal for those with work or childcare commitments.
• Accessibility: No travel required; all you need is an internet connection.
• Re-playable Content: Many of our online sessions are recorded, allowing you to revisit topics at your own pace.
• Comfort: Learn in a familiar environment, your own home.
• Broad Reach: Access courses from specialists or speakers who may not be available locally.

At Family Fostering Partners, we offer a range of virtual training sessions, meaning geography is no barrier to becoming a confident foster parent. We also provide fully paid membership Foster Talk – this means our foster parents are able to access extra-curricular training. Foster Talk is an independent service that provides webinars, training and guest speakers.

Hear from Steve who tells us about his experience of foster care training with Family Fostering Partners.

Benefits of In-Person Foster Care Training

While online learning is convenient, many of our foster parents still value the connection and immediacy of in-person training. Here’s why:

• Face-to-face interaction with experienced trainers and other foster parents
• Build support networks with fellow foster parents during break-out discussions and coffee breaks
• Fewer distractions in a dedicated training space; no parcels being delivered or dogs barking in the background! 
• More responsive to individual questions and group dynamics

In-person training is a great way to form relationships, especially during the early stages of your fostering journey. At Family Fostering Partners, we host our training sessions at community venues that are local to our foster parents. Our training sessions typically run during term time from 10am – 2pm, leaving plenty of time to navigate the school drop off! They are, of course, always accompanied by friendly conversation and plenty of tea!

Do Foster Carers Get Paid for Training?

It’s a question we hear often: do foster carers get paid for training?

While training itself is not paid in the same way as fostering placements, attending training is a key part of your professional development and is reflected in your overall fostering allowance. At Family Fostering Partners, we value the time you commit to learning and ensure our foster parents are supported with the resources and flexibility needed to attend sessions, whether online or in-person.

Which Type of Foster Care Training Is Right for You?

The great news is, you don’t have to choose just one. At Family Fostering Partners, we offer a blended approach to foster care training. That means you can attend some courses online and others in person, depending on your needs and preferences.

Whichever method you choose, our team will be with you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting out or you're an experienced foster carer looking to refresh your knowledge, we’ll make sure your training is relevant, engaging, and accessible.

Ready to Begin Your Fostering Journey?

Get in touch today for a no obligation chat with one of our team members.