Development Programme 20162017 Fostering

Carers
Learning &
Development
Programme
April 2016 -
March 2017

Welcome
...to our new training programme at Brent
Looked after Children and Permanency Service
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service recognises that you play a crucial role
in the lives of our children and young people. Training opportunities are designed to meet
your learning needs and support you in providing the best possible care, as well as
enhancing your skills and knowledge in areas vital to achieving the best possible outcomes
for our children and young people.
Whether you are newly approved, an experienced carer, provide long term, short term or
respite support, the important role you play in children’s lives cannot ever be underestimated
- particularly as we experience an increase in more complex and challenging young people
referred into the fostering system.
As a professional group, we all - staff and foster carers alike - have a responsibility to remain
statutorily up to date with Child protection and CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) which is
renewed every 2 years, de-escalation and restraint, and first aid training (both renewed
every 3 years).
Statutory courses are run alongside Basic & Core Skills which underpin different aspects of
fostering best practice. Specialist learning focuses on advanced theory and practice, and
working with specific types of children and young people.
We are continually striving to deliver training at a higher level, with linked rather than one-off
courses that truly meet your specific needs, and those of the children you care for. Further
details of linked development programmes will be released later in the year.
We have also made the decision to move away from a traditional training programme for part
of the programme. Instead we will make arrangements for the training as and when you tell
us what you want to do. The sessions will be delivered by group learning activity, online e-
learning or individual external training and are detailed towards the end of the programme.
If you would like to attend a particular course that is not listed here or higher level training, let
us know and we will do what we can to meet your needs.
On behalf of the Looked after Children and Permanency Service I hope that you enjoy the
learning and development opportunities on offer and look forward to working with you over
the coming year.
Zak Darwood
Placements Development Coordinator
Landline: 0208 937 4458  Mobile: 0778 833 5717  Email: zak.darwood@brent.gov.uk

Developing and Evidencing Your Learning
Learning and professional development takes many forms and is integral to your role as a
Carer. Over time you may develop specialist skills in particular areas, upskill in new areas or
continue to attend training to refresh your knowledge.
Learning requirements should be discussed and agreed with your Supervising Social Worker
so that a Personal Development Plan (PDP) can be created. Your PDP will updated on a
regular basis and is designed to track and document skills, knowledge and experience that
you gain both formally and informally as you work. It’s a record of what you experience, learn
and then apply into your fostering practice. It also supports Brent Children in Care and
Permanency Service to develop responsive Learning Programmes to continue to meet the
needs of the Carer population.
Alongside facilitated courses, training can take a variety of forms, and can be achieved in
various ways. The diagram below may help you discuss and explore with your Supervising
Social Worker how various Learning Events and resources can be used to evidence your
professional development as a Carer.
PDP
Online
Learning
One-to-One
Learning
Sessions
Reading
relevant
books and
materials
TV / Films
Support
Group
meetings
Faciliated
Training
Distance
Learning
Internet
Reseach

Brent Fostering Practice Areas
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service has developed 7 Fostering Practice
areas which underpin the Learning and Development Programme. These seven Practice
Areas will be a re-occurring theme throughout learning events, training, and activities
delivered by the department and also underpin the annual foster carer review process.
The Fostering Practice areas all relate to the Quality of the Foster Carers relationship with
and direct care of foster children; they are:
Practice Area 1: Emotional Availability (Carer possesses ability to play, show
warmth, affection, set appropriate boundaries, promotes positive behaviour; child
feels safe and cared for)
Practice Area 2: Capacity to manage a foster child’s feelings, understanding the
impact of loss, transition and change (including settling a child into placement,
engaging empathetically with the child, and preparing them for moving on)
Practice Area 3: Promotion of identity and self (ability to respect and value familial
contact, racial, linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage of a child giving
consideration to their ability, gender, sexuality and the child’s own concept of self)
Practice Area 4: Ability to provide the best outcomes for the individual child
(developing their personal, social, health and wellbeing, and educational
attainment)
Practice Area 5: Ability to provide a safe environment for the child (including: an
awareness of digital safety; keeping children safe from sexual exploitation; being
recruited into criminal groups and activities and being aware of missing persons
protocols)
Practice Area 7: Quality of working relationship with the Team around the Child
(Supervising Social Worker, Child Social Worker, Health and Education
Professionals, any other relevant professionals)
Practice Area 6: Enabling the voice of the child (ensuring the child’s views, wishes
and feelings are heard and responded to, both positive suggestions and
complaints)

Applying for a Learning Event / Course
1. All learning and development activities should be discussed and agreed with your
Supervising Social Worker, if you are a Foster Carer or in some cases an Adoptive
Carer these should be recorded in your Personal Development Plan (PDP). The PDP
should be updated on a yearly basis prior to the annual carer review or as required.
2. Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service expects all Carers to attend
Level 1 Safeguarding Training1
and appropriate First Aid Training2
prior to approval
as a Foster Carer, Adopter, Short Breaks Carer or Kinship Carer. Special
Guardianship Carers are also able to attend this training however it is only
recommended and not mandatory.
3. Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service operated an automatic booking
system for newly approved Foster, Short Break and Kinship Carers. This means that
the Placements Development Coordinator will book your training in line with the
mandatory training list that is identified to meet your Approval Type. It is expected
that new carers will complete 50% of the core training within the first year of
fostering. Adoptive Carers are able to access any of the training courses in
agreement with their Assessing or Supervising Social Worker.
4. Foster Carers, Short Break Carers and Kinship Carers after completion of the Core
Training Courses should attend 4 Training Courses per year, in addition birth children
above the age of 16 can attend First Aid for Carers, Safeguarding Level 1, Safer
Caring and Restraint and De-escalation Training.
5. All Carers should either complete an application form (attached to this brochure) or
contact the Placements Development Coordinator directly. The Placements
Development Coordinator can be contacted via telephone, email, or the mobile
messenger application ‘whatsapp’. Alternatively, you can ask your Supervising
Social Worker to make the learning event booking.
6. Please note that some courses may have different application procedures and these
will be clearly stated throughout this brochure. Furthermore, throughout the year
other learning events may be advertised and Carers should ensure that they read the
information clearly regarding applying for these sessions.
Course Attendance
 The Placements Development Coordinator will notify you via email if you’ve been
successful in gaining a place on the course
o If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place on the course; you will be placed on
a waiting list
 You are expected to attend all training courses that you are booked to attend, please
put these dates in your diary and make arrangements for child care in advance to
ensure this is not a barrier to you attending
o Please inform your supervising social worker if you are using a Nominated
Carer when attending training to arrange payment as per the guidance in the
current rates and guidance document.
1
Also known as Working Together Level 1
2
The level of First Aid Training will depend on your approval type

 Please inform your Supervising Social Worker and the Development Coordinator if
you are unable to attend a training course with as much notice as possible so the
place can be offered to another carer
 If you have not received confirmation of a training place then you are not on the
course – please do not turn up as you won’t be allowed into the training room.
 All courses, unless advertised, require prior booking. Without prior booking you will
not be able to attend the course.
 During the delivery of the session, unless it’s an emergency, you should not leave the
training session. If you leave the training session then you will be marked as not
attending.
Non-Attendance / Cancellation and Charging Policy
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service expect all carers who are allocated a
space to attend the course, in the event that a carer does not attend the course and does
not inform the service of the forthcoming non-attendance then the ‘Charging for Non-
Attendance on Training’ process will be initiated.
This process is detailed in a separate document which is available from the Development
Coordinator or via your Supervising Social Worker.
Recognition of Prior & Other Learning
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service recognises that our Carers have a
range of learning opportunities outside of the Training Packages offered by the Council.
Brent recognise that this training has a positive impact on the care provided to children in
placement and therefore ask that Carers provide evidence of the Learning opportunities
undertaken, the expected evidence would generally be a certificate of completion.
Evidence can be forwarded to the Development Coordinator who will confirm that this
evidence is acceptable and upload a copy of the evidence to the information management
system.
Please note, Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service Development Team still
expect all Foster, Kinship and Short Breaks Carers to attend at least four courses per year/or
the level of training agreed with the Fostering Reviewing Officer / Team Manager regardless
of the amount of training completed outside of the Councils Programme. Adoptive and
Special Guardianship Carers do not have this required level of training unless otherwise
notified.

Evaluations, Certificates and Evidence Recording
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service expects all carers who attend a
training event to complete an evaluation form; these will either be provided by the trainer at
the end of the training session or sent out via email. These are used by the Placements
Service Development Team to inform the next training programme and ensure that the
training being delivered is consistently at a high standard. However please feel free to
contact the Placements Development Coordinator at any time to discuss the content of a
training session or if you have any concerns.
All carers that sign into and stay for the duration of the training course will receive a
certificate. Certificates will be processed after the training session is complete and will be
sent as a PDF to their BrentCarers.org email account. Foster, Kinship and Short Break
Carers should keep a record of Learning and Development Activities they complete as this is
an essential record for continued approval as a Carer. It is also recommended that Special
Guardianship Carers and Adopters maintain a record of the Learning and Development
sessions they attend.
Carers can request copies of presentations and activities however this is at the discretion of
the trainer and carers should be aware that this may not be possible at all times. If you are
missing any certificates for training sessions completed please inform the Placements
Development Coordinator.
Carers should also be aware that Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service will
maintain records of learning and development sessions attended, including copies of
certificates, workbooks for the Training, Support and Development Standards and other
relevant information.
Selection and Allocation Process for Carer Training
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service invests a lot of time and money into
the Learning and Development Activities and we need to make sure that our resources are
being distributed evenly and fairly across the service; to ensure this happens the following
Selection Guidelines are used when booking Carers into Learning and Development courses
and activities.
Mandatory Training;
For mandatory courses, delegates will be prioritised in the following order
 Foster, Kinship and Short Breaks Carers who have had a specific training
requirement identified by their Supervising Social Worker, The Team Manager,
the Fostering Reviewing Officer or the Fostering Panel that needs addressing
urgently
 New Adoptive3
, Foster, Short Break or Kinship Carers
 Existing Carers who need to renew their training
 Existing Carers who have shown an interest in attending a session
 Nominated Carers
 Birth Children of Foster Carers
 Substantial Adult Visitors to the home
3
Learning Event or Course identified as essential/mandatory by the Adoption and Post Permanency Support
Team to support an Adoptive placement or Special Guardianship Order.

Following this order of preference, an effort will be made to allocate an even number of
places to delegates that fall within the different caring groups. However, if a course would be
more beneficial to a Carer in a specific role, then they will be prioritised. For example, a
course addressing the Preparation for Independent Living would probably be more relevant
to a Carer who primarily takes placements of children aged 12 plus.
It is expected that newly approved Foster, Kinship and Short Break Carers will attend at
least 50% of the mandatory training within the first year of approval with the remainder
completed in the second year of fostering. In subsequent years of fostering it is the
expectation that a Foster, Kinship or Short Breaks Carer will attend at least 4 courses per
year.
Non-mandatory Training:
Initially, for Foster, Kinship and Short Breaks Carers, non-mandatory courses will be
allocated to carers who have completed their first year of fostering and had their first annual
review. This is partly due to new carers having to attend a large volume of mandatory
courses as part of their fostering induction. If there is a surplus of spaces available, then new
carers will be then given the opportunity to attend. Adoptive and Special Guardianship
Carers will be allocated course spaces in response to identified support needs.
Other Learning and Development Activities
All other learning and development activities, including the Carer buddy system and
QCF/Accredited Training will be dealt with under a separate set of guidelines. Please contact
the Placements Development Coordinator for further details.
Conduct for Training Sessions
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service expects all Carers to conduct
themselves in a professional and courteous manner whilst undertaking Learning and
Development activities. Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service invests a
considerable amount into the training of carers and therefore, we really hope that you will
enjoy your training, and we do expect all carers to adhere to the following conduct
guidelines:
 All carers should conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the
expectations as set out in their agreements to be a Carer for Brent Local Authority.
 Take a positive approach to the training in order to enable the greatest possible
personal development. All attendees may have some personal or professional
knowledge of the subject matter however be open to learning something new.
 Refrain from overly personal discussions and participate objectively in group
debates, you are entitled to your personal opinion on the subject matter however
please remember you are in a place of work and learning. When sharing within a
group discussion please remember that once shared the information becomes group
knowledge and can not be taken back. Please be mindful when discussing young
people you have previously had or currently have in placement or are in the process
of adopting.
 Ensure that all discussions are on topic and help to develop the debate around the
subject matter.
 Do not act in a way which may intimidate other members of the group and impede
them from fully participating in the training session.
 If you are going to be late to the session, please inform the Placements Development
Coordinator as soon as possible so they can advise the trainer. Lateness should not
become a repeated issue and if it does, it will be addressed accordingly. Carers

should note that some courses will not allow access after a certain time as this will
disrupt the training session
 Unless you are on call both your personal and any work mobile phones should be
switched off or to silent, and should not be accessed during the session. If you do
have to take a call, please excuse yourself in a quiet and discreet fashion. If you are
on call, please notify the trainer at the start of the session.
 Respect professional boundaries when talking to other carers and external trainers.
 Please ensure that you eat your lunch during the allotted breaks and don’t bring food
into the training session.
Annual Carer Review (Foster, Kinship and Short Breaks Carers only)
Each year every fostering household has an Annual Review, Training and Development is a
key area of this review process and the Fostering Reviewing Officer (FRO) will expect to see
a Personal Development Plan and a list of training that has been attended in the previous
year.
Additionally the Fostering Reviewing Officer will expect to see evidence of how you have
applied the learning into your fostering practice, finally as part of the review process the
Fostering Reviewing Officer will confirm the learning and development plan for the coming
year. This will be in agreement with your Supervising Social Worker and you as the carers
and will form part of the Fostering Reviewing Officer’s recommendation.
Location of Training Sessions
All training is held at Brent Civic Centre on the 1st
Floor unless otherwise stated.
On entering the civic centre please use the central escalator or Red Scenic Lifts to the 1st
floor. The Training Centre is to the left of the Melting Pot Restaurant. This is highlighted in
light orange on the diagram below:

Parking and Transportation
There is limited parking available at the Civic Centre and in local streets. This is all pay and
display. Please note that Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Service will not
reimburse parking fees, nor take responsibility for ensuring that your car is appropriately
parked.
Public Transport:
 Wembley Park Stations served by the Metropolitan and Jubilee Line Trains
 Wembley Central Station served by Bakerloo and London Overground Trains
 Various local buses including routes: 18, 79, 83, 92, 182, 206, 223, 224, and the 297.
Please use journey planner on the Transport for London website to plan your journey to the
Civic Centre: http://tfl.gov.uk/
Refreshments and Lunch
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Department provide a limited range of
refreshments for carers; these are limited to tea and coffee plus filtered water from a
communal machine (in the hallway of the training suite), drinks may be consumed during the
training session if appropriate to do so and with the trainer’s permission.
Due to budgetary constraints lunch is not provided at any of the learning events advertised in
this brochure, there is a range of eateries inside and surrounding the civic centre where
lunch can be purchased. There is also a kitchen area that carers can access to warm food.

Post Approval Mandatory Training
Brent Looked after Children and Permanency Department have identified a range of learning
events that are mandatory for all carers dependant on the carer approval type. Additionally
other learning events may also be classed as mandatory dependant on the child that you are
caring for. The following is a general guide for mandatory courses;
Mandatory Training Renewal
Carers
Approval
Age
Range:
0-3
Carer
Approval
Age
Range:
3-12
Carer
Approval
Age
Range:
12-18
Nominated
Carer
Aim Higher Education for LAC  
Care Planning   
Communicating /Managing Conflict
with Children
   
Comments & Complaints   
Contact and Working with Birth
Parents
  
Digital Safety
Every 3
years

Equality and Diversity Awareness   
First Aid
Every 3
years
  
First Aid - Baby
Every 3
years
 
Health and Safety / Risk
Assessment / Fire Safety
Every 3
years
   
Key Legislations for foster carers   
Life story work for your foster child   
Managing Concerns and
Allegations
Every 3
years
  
Managing Planned & Unplanned
Endings/Disruption
  
Preparation for Independence 
Preventing Placement Breakdown  
Professional Boundaries   
Professional Recording    
Restraint and De-escalation
Every 3
years
 
Safeguarding
Every 2
years
   
Safer Caring
Every 3
years
  
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Every 3
years
  
The Role of Men in Fostering –
Male Carers Only
  

Training Courses April 2016 – March 2017
Date Day Room
Session
Time
Booking Title
26/04/2016 Tues 2
10-1pm Sexual Health for Young People
1:30-4pm Care Planning
28/04/2016 Thurs 2
10:12:30pm
Training Support and Development
Standards Workshop
1-4pm
Caring for Babies affected Foetal
Alcohol Syndrome & Drug
Withdrawal
05/05/2016 Thurs 2
10-1pm Introduction to Attachment
1-4pm First Aid
6-9pm First Aid
11/05/2016 Wed 2 10-3pm
Allegations
14/05/2016 Sat 2
10-1pm First Aid
1-3pm Safeguarding Refresher
17/05/2016 Tue 2 10-12pm Comments and Complaints
24/05/2016 Tues 2
10-12:30 Allergies and Seizures
1-4pm 0-5 Development
13/06/2016 Mon 2 10-2pm Advanced Life Story Work
21/06/2016 Tues 2
10-1pm
Adolescent Development - Puberty
and Hygiene
1:30-4pm
Standards Workshop
24/06/2016 Fri 2 10-3pm
Transitions - Primary to Secondary
School
28/06/2016 Tues 2 10-3pm
Working with Traumatised Children
and Young People
05/07/2016 Tues 2
10-1pm
Health Needs of Looked after
Children
6-9pm Introduction to Life Story Work
07/07/2016 Thurs 2 10-3pm
Nominated Carers Introduction
Session
21/07/2016 Thurs 2
1-4pm First Aid (babies and toddlers)
6-9pm First Aid
29/07/2016 Fri 2 1:30-4pm Professional Boundaries
18/08/2016 Thurs 2 6-8pm
Standards Workshop
06/09/2016 Tues 2 6-9pm
Advanced Safeguarding and
Promoting Safer Environments in
foster care.
09/09/2016 Fri 3
10-1pm Health and Safety
1:30-4pm Record Keeping
19/09/2016 Mon 2 10-1pm First Aid

15/10/2016 Sat 2
10-2pm
Communicating with Young People
about Relationships and Sexual
Health
2-3:30pm
Standards Workshop
19/10/2016 Wed 4
10-1pm Care Planning
1:15-4pm Attending Court
26/10/2016 Wed 4 10-3pm
Attunement and Attachment with
Babies
01/11/2016 Tues 3
1- 4pm First Aid
6-9pm First Aid
03/11/2016 Thurs 2 10-3pm
Caring for Young People and
Managing their Challenging
Behaviour
29/11/2016 Tues 4 10-1pm
Aim Higher - Education for Looked
after Children
01/12/2016 Thurs 2 6-9pm Blood Bourne Viruses
10/12/2016 Sat 2 10-3pm
Allegations
12/12/2016 Mon 3 10-1pm Obesity and Eating Healthy
12/01/2017 Thurs 2 10-3pm
Working with Young People
towards Independence
18/01/2017 Wed 2
1:30-
4:30pm
Introduction to Attachment
19/01/2017 Thurs 2 6-9pm Delegated Authority
21/01/2017 Sat 2
10-1pm First Aid
27/01/2017 Fri 2 10-3pm
Working with Young People Self
Harm
07/02/2017 Tues 2
1:30-4pm
Adolescent Development - Puberty
and Hygiene
6-8pm
Training, Support and Development
Standards Workshop
16/02/2017 Thurs 2 6-8pm Comments and Complaints
24/02/2017 Fri 3
10-1pm Safer Caring
1:30-
4:30pm
Advanced Safeguarding and
Promoting Safer Environments in
foster care.
28/02/2017 Tues 2 10-3pm
Working with Violent and
Aggressive Young People
02/03/2017 Thurs 2
10-1pm
Caring for Babies affected Foetal
Alcohol Syndrome & Drug
Withdrawal
1-4pm First Aid ( babies and toddlers)
6-9pm First Aid
04/03/2017 Sat 2 10-3pm Nominated Carers Introduction

Session
08/03/2017 Wed 2
10-12PM Safeguarding Refresher
1:30-
3:00pm
Administration of Medication
6-9pm Professional Boundaries
14/03/2017
Tues 4
10-2pm Advanced Life Story Work
3-5pm
Training, Support and Development
Standards Workshop
Over the following pages you will find the course outlines for the
courses advertised above and information on other courses and
learning events available to you.

Course Outlines
Adolescent Development –
Puberty and Hygiene’
This session will cover puberty including personal
hygiene and provide an introduction to relationships
and sexual health issues for young people.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Kinship and Foster Carers of young people 5+
Learning Outcomes
 Carers will gain an understanding of puberty and how to support children during what can
be a difficult time
 Carers will look at friendships, body changes, emotions, and an introduction to
contraception and sexually transmitted infections
 Carers will also cover hygiene issues for young people and ways in which to work with
young people to improve their hygiene and how poor personal hygiene is linked to body
image
Contributes to Training, Support and Development Standards
Foster Carers – Standards 3 and 5
Kinship Carers – Standard 5
Administrating Medication
This session will cover the following areas in relation to the administration of medication:
 Storage
 Administration
 Recording
 Self-medication
 Home remedies and over the counter medication
 Legal issues
 The importance of medicine labels
 Understanding dosage instructions
 Basic hygiene when administering medicines
 How to reduce medication errors
 Reporting refusals, side effects and errors
Trainer Kate Tuohy
Who Should attend:
All Kinship and Foster Carers
Learning Outcomes
On completion, carers will have an understanding of medication storage and how to administer
medications safely in accordance with local and national policy.
Kinship Carers – Standards 2 and 5
To book onto these courses please contact, Zak Darwood, Placements Development
Coordinator on 020 8937 4458 or 07788 335717. Alternatively email:
zak.darwood@brent.gov.uk

Aim Higher: Education for
Looked After Children
This training session focusses on improving
educational attainment for Looked after
Children and young people.
Delivered in partnership with Brent libraries
highlighting the value of reading to the children in
their care in terms of emotional /educational / literacy outcomes. The session is lively and
interactive with the use of soft toys as tools for engaging and telling a story to a young child.
The course contains interactive quiz’s, videos and presentations that look at the longer-term
economic value of attending school and gaining qualifications, an in depth look at Personal
Education Plans and the carers’ role and responsibilities. In addition the course touches on the
expectations from OFSTED around rates of education progress for Looked after Children and
Young people and the value of on-going training to the carers’ professional role.
Trainer Virtual School
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 An introduction to the role and remit of the Virtual School
 An appreciation of the value of reading and promoting literacy
 An appreciation of the local context of LAC using numbers/schools/ in/out borough data
 An understanding of the need to promote and support attendance and attainment
 An introduction to current guidance, the E-PEP + the link to Pupil Premium funding
Foster Carers – Standards 1,2,3 and 5
Allergies and Seizures
This session will provide carers with an overview of anaphylaxis and epilepsy and briefly touch on
asthma.
Trainer Ursula Johnson
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Have an awareness of anaphylaxis, epilepsy and asthma
 Be aware of early recognition of signs and symptoms
 Have knowledge on appropriate use of an EPI Pen
 Be aware of medications and treatment opportunities

Introduction to Attachment
This half day session will enable carers to develop a wider understanding of attachment issues for
children who are in care.
Trainer Brent Emotional Wellbeing Team
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• Have an understanding of attachment
• Have an opportunity to share some of your experiences of caring for children
 Discuss the importance of recognising a looked after child’s attachment to their birth
families and previous lifestyles
Foster Carers – Standards 3, and 5
Kinship Carers - Standards 1, 2, 4
Attending Court, Roles and Boundaries
This course will give carers an awareness of their roles in relation to attending court with children
and young people in their care.
Trainer Noreen Owusuh
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Gain an understanding of the role of a carer when it comes to attending course with a
looked after child or young person
 To look at the boundaries of the carers role within the court setting
 To learn more about the New Public Law Outline and children’s journeys through the
Public Law Outline [Pre Court, Court Care Proceedings and Permanency Planning
“Outcomes for Children”]
Foster Carers – Standards 1, 3, and 6
Kinship Carers – Standards 2, 3, 4 and 5

Attunement and Attachments with Babies
This session will enable carers to develop a wider understanding of attachment issues for babies
within fostering placements.
Trainer Karen Jesnick
Who Should attend:
Kinship and Foster Carers of children 0-3
Learning Outcomes
 Have an understanding of attachment
 Have an opportunity to share some of your experiences of caring for babies
 Discuss how babies communicate
 Learn about babies brain development and factors which impede this
 Learn about the importance of play for babies development
Kinship Carers - Standards 1, 2, 4
Care Planning
This course enables carers to gain a greater understanding into a looked after child’s care plan
and the role of a Foster/kinship Carer in the care plan. Additionally this course providers carers
with information on the different roles of social care staff who may have a responsibility as detailed
within the care plan.
Trainer Noreen Owusuh
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 To learn more about the structure of Brent Children’s Service, in particular Care Planning
and Children in Care Service.
 To Understand the Child’s Journeys and Stories from Home to Foster Care.
 To know more about the Local Authority’s Expectations. Main functions of the Department.
Discussion about the working relationship with Social Workers. Strength and Challenges.
 To learn more about implementing the Child’s Care Plan and to manage contact between
children and their Birth Family and to promote it in a safe manner with confidence.
Foster Carers – Standards 1, 2, 3 and 6
Kinship Carers – Standards 1, 2 and 3

Caring for Babies affected Foetal Alcohol Syndrome & Drug Withdrawal
An overview of the effects of substances and alcohol taken by pregnant mothers on their unborn
babies.
Trainer Dr Arlene Boroda
Who Should attend:
All Kinship and Foster Carers of children 0-3 or with approval to care for babies
Learning Outcomes
 To have a broader knowledge on what substances are harmful to the foetus if taken by
pregnant mothers and what the short and longer term effects are on the children.
 Substances covered will include smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs.
Caring for Young People and Managing
their Challenging Behaviour
To provide a toolkit of skills and techniques for working
with young people who exhibit challenging behaviour
To develop participant’s confidence in applying a range
of skills to manage the challenging behaviour of young
people.
Who Should attend:
Kinship and Foster Carers of Children and young people 5+
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
 Have explored the meaning behind a young person’s behaviour
 Have increased their understanding of why a young person exhibits challenging behaviour
 Have considered a number of scenarios involving challenging behaviour and looked at
ways of responding to them
 Have explored a range of strategies for promoting positive behaviour in the young person
 Have begun to develop skills in active listening to help the young person to understand
their own behaviour
 Have considered strategies that can be employed for developing a young person’s positive
self-esteem
 Have learned how to apply the four-point ‘I message’ when giving feedback to the young
person regarding their challenging behaviour
Foster Carers – Standards 3, 4, 5, and 7
Kinship Carers – Standards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Child Development 0-5 years
To gain a wider understanding the developmental milestones
for babies and young children 0-5 years.
Who Should attend:
Kinship and Foster Carers of children 0-5
Learning Outcomes
Identifying developmental changes between babies from:
 0-6 months
 6-9 months
 12-18 months
 18-24 months
 24-36 months
 36-60 months
Advanced Safeguarding and Promoting Safer Environments in foster
care.
(Previously known as Child Protection Advanced)
This course is an advanced course specifically developed around Fostering and Kinship Care, this
course will look at the range of issues more associated with looked after children than those
children who are raised within their birth families.
Please note: Carers should complete Working Together Level 1 with the LSCB before attending
this session.
Trainer Carline Benoit
Wh o Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Have identified the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect
 Have gained a clear understanding of what abuse and neglect is; as outlined in ‘Working
Together to Safeguard Children’
 Have explored and examined ways of managing ‘disclosure’ by a child
 Have identified the possible signs and symptoms of bullying, including cyber-bullying
 Have considered strategies for dealing effectively with bullying and cyber-bullying
 Have developed internet safety guidelines for children and young people in the home
 Be familiar with anti-bullying and internet safety websites in their safeguarding role as a
foster carer
 Have considered how best to safeguard children and young people when they are using
social networking sites
Foster Carers – Standards 1,3 and 6

Comments and Complaints
This session will enable attendees to understand the complaints process and how Carers and
Young People can make their views and complaints known to the Council. Additionally the session
will look at ways Carers can support young people in making their views known.
Trainer Chief Operating Officers Department.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Have an awareness of the procedure for making a complaint
 Be aware of how a complaint is dealt with by the council
 Have an awareness of the statutory guidance for making complaints
 Be aware of the exceptions to the complaints procedures, for example Child Protection
Procedures
 Procedures for supporting a young person to make complaints
Kinship Carers- Standards 1, 2 and 3
Delegated Authority
This course will support and empower carers to make informed decisions regarding day to day
tasks for the children in their care, some of these decisions involve an element of risk, such as,
sleepovers, school activities and contact with siblings. All delegated authority decisions made by a
carer must be within the child’s Placement Plan.
Who Should attend:
All Kinship and Foster Carers as directed by your Supervising Social Worker
Learning Outcomes
 Have a full understanding of the meaning and purpose of delegated authority
 To have developed confidence in knowing when and when not to delegate authority within
the child’s placement plan and ensuring agreements are sought
 To consider how carers should make judgements inv olving elements of risk for the child
 To explore issues and concerns around delegated authority including promoting shared
perspectives, responsibilities and working together
Foster Carers – Standards 1, 2,3 and 7

First Aid for Babies and Toddlers
This course focusses on all aspects of First Aid
crucial; for those looking after a new baby and
those looking after a toddler who is becoming
more mobile and inquisitive. The course will
look at priorities if your child appears to be
unconscious, practice CPR, deal with choking,
wounds that are bleeding, if your child has hit
their head and how to cope in the event of a
amputated finger or severe fall.
Trainer First Aid for Life
Who Should attend:
All Kinship and Foster Carers of babies and toddlers
Learning Outcomes
The course will cover:
 Action at an emergency – priorities of treatment
 Care of the baby or child who is unconscious but breathing – Recovery position
 Care of the child who is unconscious and not breathing – CPR differences between baby &
child CPR
 Management of the child with a possible spinal injury
 Choking – theory and practical
 Drowning
 What to put in your First Aid Kit
 Major and minor bleeds, amputated parts and treatment of clinical shock
 Burns & scalds
 Poisoning
 Head injury – concussion, compression & skull fracture
 Medical conditions such as febrile convulsions and meningitis
Foster Carers - Standard 3
Kinship Carers – Standards 2
Please note: This is a very practical session and carers should wear suitable clothing and
advise the trainer or the Fostering Development Coordinator prior to the session if there a
re any pre-existing injuries or conditions that we should be aware of.

First Aid for Carers
This course is ideal for anyone who would like to know what to do if faced with a serious medical
emergency, as well as understanding how to cope with a variety of accidents and illnesses.
Trainer First Aid for Life
Who Should attend:
Kinship and Foster Carers of children and young people 3+
Learning Outcomes
The course will cover:
 Action at an emergency – how to work out if something is life threatening
 Care of the adult, baby or child who is unconscious but breathing – differences between
adult, baby and child recovery positions
 What to do if someone is unconscious and not breathing – CPR differences between adult,
baby & child CPR
 Heart Attack and The importance of the defibrillator
 Management of an adult, baby or child with a possible spinal injury
 Choking – theory and practical with adults, babies and children
 Drowning
 What to put in your First Aid Kit
 Major and minor bleeds, how to treat someone with an amputated finger, knocked out
teeth…
 How to help someone who is burnt, scalded or has been electrocuted
 Head injury – concussion, compression & skull fracture – what to look out for and for how
long
 Treatment of all forms of clinical shock.
 What to do if someone is fitting
Foster Carers - Standard 3
Kinship Carers – Standard 2
Please note: This is a very practical session and carers should wear suitable clothing and
advise the trainer or the Fostering Development Coordinator prior to the session if there
are any pre-existing injuries or conditions that we should be aware of.

Health and Safety for Foster Carers
Provides a basic understanding of Health & Safety to enable carers to create & maintain a safer
environment in the home. Carers will gain an understanding of the requirements of Brent
regarding Health and Safety checks including that of security, notice of major works, expectations
in and outside the home and insurances required.
Additionally the session will cover basic risk assessment techniques.
Trainer Catherine Fearon
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Gain an understanding of the Health and Safety Requirements for fostering
 Be aware of the information required by the council in regards to assessing health and
safety within the home, documentation required and time limits on this
 Be aware of basic health and safety issues within the home experienced by carers
 Have an understanding of risk assessment and when it may apply to the children in your
care
HIV, AIDs, Hepatitis (Blood Borne Viruses)
Introductory awareness session for those interested in HIV & AIDS and Hepatitis, participants will
learn about HIV and AIDS, and Hepatitis co-infection. The course also looks at society’s personal
prejudices around the stigma attached to living with HIV and ways to combat this.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• Have an understanding of Blood Bourne Viruses
• Gain an understanding of co-infection
• Be aware of transmission routes
• Discuss and look at vaccinations
• Look at stigma and prejudice
• Look at ways of supporting children and young people in placement in living with BBV
Foster Carers – Standards 3, 5

Introduction to Life Story Work for your Foster Child
This course explores the importance of life story work for children separated from their birth family,
the completion of life story work can help children and young people make sense of their past and
present and support them in making plans for the future.
Trainer Mary Butler
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Establish why life story work with children and young people is necessary
 Consider a range of methods that can be used for life story work
 Explore the different feeling that life story work can invoke in children and young people,
and also the adults around the child
 Review some resources available to those undertaking life story work with children and
young people and look at ways participants may use and adapt them
 Foster Carers – Standard 5
 Kinship Carers – Standard 4
Life Story Work –Foster Carers
This course explores in depth the importance of life story work for children within fostering
families, the completion of life story work can help children and young people make sense of their
past and present and support them in making plans for the future.
The course will focus on on-going life story work with foster children and also look at some of the
potential impact on carers and the birth children of carers.
Trainer Mary Butler
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Establish why life story work with children and young people is necessary
 Consider a r ange of methods that can be used for life story work
 Explore the different feeling that life story work can invoke in children and young people,
and also the adults around the child
 Discuss the impact on carers own children and potential impacts
 Review some resources available to those undertaking life story work with children and
young people and look at ways participants may use and adapt them
 Foster Carers – Standard 5
 Kinship Carers – Standard 4

Managing Concerns and Allegations
This course considers the complexities associated with allegations and complaints against foster
carers and provides foster carers with an understanding of the process that a social care
department must undertake on an allegation being made. This session will also provide carers
with coping mechanisms if there is an allegation made against them.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Understand the legislative and regulatory framework for managing complaints and
allegations about foster carers’ practice / standards of care;
 Identify the risks and vulnerabilities in foster placements;
 Understand the impact of allegations and investigations on foster carers and know what
support and information foster carers should have from the fostering service;
 Describe the process for managing allegations against foster carers;
 Understand the cycle of secondary stress and identify ways of minimising risks in foster
care.
Foster Carers - Standards 1, 2, 3, and 4,
Kinship Carers – Standards 1, 2, and 5
Obesity and Eating Healthy
This session will provide carers with an overview of Obesity issues for young people including
some of the causes and looking at the long term consequences
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Defining obesity
 Prevalence – national/local
 Causes of obesity
 Short & long term consequences
 Promoting healthy weight in children & young people
Foster Carers – Standards 3, 5 and 6

Professional Boundaries
This session will allow you to explore professional boundaries and understand the need fir
effective and clear boundaries within your career as a foster carer.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 To recognise potential boundary problems
 To be aware of and recognise own personal boundaries
 To distinguish good working practices
 To have an understanding of strategies to help children in foster care learn and respect
boundaries
Foster Carers – Standards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
Professional Recording and Keeping Documentation
All professionals working with children and young people must know how to keep and share
information. As a foster carer this can involve unique challenges. This course enables carers to
understand the principles that underpin good record keeping, and how to apply rules of
confidentiality within their own work.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Understand the reasons for keeping different types of records
 Identify which information should be gathered in ways which it can best be recorded
 Consider the audience for the records and their use
 Understand how to separate fact from opinions and avoid discriminatory comments and
value judgements
 Understand and apply the rules of data protection
Foster Carers – standards 2 and 4
Kinship Carers – Standard 1 and 3

Safer Caring
Looked after Children are by definition, vulnerable and therefore at risk. However there are also
risks to others including carers, staff and other children. This course enables learners to
understand how to assess risk, what children need to feel safe and to develop ‘safer carer
guidelines’ for your household.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• Understand that safer caring is about assessing and managing risk
 Have an understanding of risk assessment and how to manage risks to the child
 Know how to assess and manage risks to the foster family including specific risks to
birth/other children within the household
 Discuss strategies to minimise risk within the
household
Contributes to Training, Support and
Development Standards
Safeguarding Refresher
This course will enhance participants awareness of what to do if they have a safeguarding
concern about a child and how to make an appropriate child protection referral in Brent.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 An understanding of what is meant by the terms 'Safeguarding' & 'Child Protection'
 Met with representatives of other agencies involved in safeguarding children in Brent
 A greater understanding of the various multi-agency processes used to safeguard
children
 Knowledge of what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare or safety.
This course is a refresher course for carers who have completed both the ‘Level 1
Safeguarding Course’ and the ‘Advanced Safeguarding and Promoting Safer
Environments in foster care’ course. It is not intended for newly approved carers.

Talking About Sex, Contraception and Relationships
Attendees will build knowledge and confidence in discussing the topic of Relationships and Sexual
Health with young people in care.
This session with have an in-depth look at different methods of contraception and also discuss
carer’s thoughts and feelings regarding young people entering into relationships.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• Identify issues around relationships and sexual health for young people in care
• Gain an understanding of the issues around healthy relationships, look at appropriate sexual
behaviour and discuss emerging sexuality/gender identity
• Consider their own values and how these impact on communicating with young people
around relationships and sexual health
• Look at ways in raising the topic of relationships and sexual health with young people
• Have an awareness of the signs and indicators of inappropriate relationships
• Gain the knowledge to support a young person in accessing appropriate services
• Gain an understanding of some appropriate interventions for engaging young people
Foster Carers – Standards 1,3,4,5 and 6
Transitions: Supporting Children moving from Primary to Secondary
School
This session will develop your understanding of the impact of transitions on permanently placed
children
Trainer Looked After Children’s Education Team
Who Should attend:
Kinship and Foster Carers of children aged 8+
Learning Outcomes
• Learn about strategies that will support your child
• Consider ways in which you can work with schools during transitions
• What are transitions and why are they crucial for permanently placed children?
• Good goodbyes: helping your child to leave their previous school or setting
• Good hellos: working with schools to get it right from the start
• Surviving secondary: supporting your child’s development
Foster Carers – Standards 1,2,3 and 5

Working with Young People towards Independence
For carers to have an opportunity to consider their particular role and responsibilities in preparing
young people for leaving care
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course participants will:
 Have an understanding of the pathway planning process and their role in this
 Have an understanding of the practical issues related to working with young people who
are leaving care and living independently
 Have explored how to support the young person to manage the transition to adulthood
Foster Carers – Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Working with Sexually Active Young People
Attendees will build knowledge and confidence in discussing the topic of Relationships and
Sexual Health with young people in care.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• Identify issues around relationships and sexual
health for young people in care
• Gain an understanding of the issues around
healthy relationships, look at appropriate sexual
behaviour and discuss emerging
sexuality/gender identity
• Consider their own values and how these impact
on communicating with young people around
relationships and sexual health
• Gain the knowledge to support a young person
in accessing appropriate services
• Gain an understanding of some appropriate
interventions for engaging young people

Working with Traumatised Looked After Children
To provide an opportunity for foster carer’s to consider how trauma impacts on many foster
children and young people
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• Be able to define trauma
• Have gained a greater understanding of the symptoms and behaviour associated with
exposure to trauma
• Have developed a greater understanding of the impact of trauma on children’s
development
• Have explored how the application of Dan Hughes’ PACE approach and Bruce Perry’s
‘Guidelines for caring for traumatised children’, can begin to meet the needs of
traumatised children and young people
• Be able to use a resource list of books, DVDs, and websites for gaining further insight
and information about how best to respond to fostered children and young people, who
have been traumatised
Foster Carers – Standards 3,4, 5 and 7
Kinship Carers – Standards 2, 3, 4
Working with Young People who Self Harm
This course provides carers with an understanding on the different forms of self-harm, why
children may develop these behaviours such as eating disorders, substance misuse and self-
harm. The course also looks at how to effectively care for those who self harm.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Understand self-harm and the range of behaviours
 Understand why behaviours may develop
 Be able to identify some of the early signs and indicators
 Know how to effectively care for a child or young person who is self-harming
 Know how to keep children and young people safe and reduce the risks of harm and look
at resources available to help carers and young people
Foster Carers – standard 5, 6 and 7
Kinship Carers – Standard 2, 3 and 4

Working with Violent and Aggressive Young People
This session will give carers an understanding of young people’s behaviour, with a focus on why
young people can be violent and aggressive. This session will provide carers with a range of
strategies to use with the young people in their care.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 To gain an understanding of young peoples behaviour and some of the triggers or
catalysts for this
 To look and develop strategies for managing these behaviours within the home
 For carers to be aware of their own coping strategies
Foster Carers – Standards 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Additional Courses on offer
The following courses are offered as part of the professional development programme for Carers
however have not been set a date. Carers should apply for a place as per the usual procedure and
when sufficient numbers have made an application for the course a date will be set and
communicated to Carers.
Autism Awareness – An Introduction
This introductory Autism Awareness course aims to develop your understanding of the diverse
condition of autism and gives initial practical suggestions when working with autistic individuals.
Autism refers to a whole range of social, language and communication problems. Severity ranges
from mild and often undiagnosed to severe, where it is almost impossible for people to
successfully engage in society.
Trainer Children with Disabilities Team
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Introduction (to include the myths, what is and what is not)
 How Learning disabilities can affect social and emotional development of children and
young people.
 Outline and understand the different Learning disabilities
 The definition of Autism
 The difference between autism and Asperger’s syndrome
 The three different conditions within the autistic spectrum
 The difficulties encompassed with social interaction, communication and imagination which
affect the learning of a young person with AS
Foster Carers – Standards 3, 5 and 6,
Kinship Carers – Standards 2, and 4

Diversity and Inclusion
This course provides carers with an understanding of Equality & Diversity, Cultural, Disability,
Gender, Sexuality and Age Awareness issues. The course also looks at the responsibility for
carers as representatives of the council.
Lastly the course looks at some of the challenges carers may face including those during
placements when children are placed with carers of a different religion or ethnicity.
Trainer To be confirmed
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Have an understanding of legislation regarding diversity and inclusion
 Understand the role of a Carers in relation to promoting Diversity and Inclusion
 Discuss some of the issues carers may face during placements where children are placed
with carers of different religions or ethnicities
Kinship Carers – Standards 1,
Downs Syndrome Awareness – An Introduction
The aims of this training course are for learners to
 Understand the meaning of Down’s syndrome and associated terms
 Understand the possible causes of Down’s syndrome
 Understand the characteristics of Down’s syndrome
 Understand how to provide support
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 State what Down’s syndrome is
 Confirm associate key terms and meanings
 State the facts about Down’s syndrome whilst identifying the myths and misconceptions
 Consider the possible causes of Down’s syndrome
 Identify the characteristics associated with Down’s syndrome
 Discuss possible additional health care requirements
 Discuss associated learning disabilities whilst considering the skills and qualities of people
 Consider ways of providing support to people with Down’s syndrome

Introduction to Working with Children with Disabilities
This course will provide carers with an overview of the Children with Disabilities service, the types
of children currently looking for or in placement and some of the expectations of carers of children
with disabilities. Carers will look at the different types of disabilities and the needs of the children,
the support on offer and have an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have in
undertaking these placements.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Be aware of the different types of disabilities
 Have an awareness of the current picture of children with disabilities in Brent
 Have an awareness of the support needs of different children with disabilities
 Be aware of the support on offer to carers of children with disabilities
 Have an opportunity to discuss concerns undertaking placements of children with
disabilities
Foster Carers – Standards 1,
Kinship Carers – Standards 1, 2
Managing Stress
This course provides an opportunity for participants to identify sources of stress, and how these
can best be managed.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Have developed an understanding of stress and the effects it can have
 Have identified the possible signs and symptoms of stress
 Have developed a clear understanding of what happens when they have become stressed
 Have gained a clear understanding of the concept of ‘flow’ and its importance in
responding to stress
 Have a clear understanding of mindfulness
 Have developed a greater understanding of how the way they think about a situation can
sometimes have a direct bearing on the amount of stress they experience
 Have gained a clear understanding of the strategies to manage stress
 Have developed a manageable plan for effectively responding to stress

Moving On (Children from Fostering to Adoptive Placements)
This training course is designed for carers who are looking after children and are preparing them
for a move to permanency. The course will consider care planning options for looked after children
as well as the emotions and practicalities involved for the child, the birth family, foster carers and
their family.
Trainer Steve Goodburn
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 To consider the placement options for looked after children
 To consider how attachment theory relates to the fostering task and the emotions involved
for children and foster families
 To consider the planning process in supporting the preparation for transition to the next
placement
 To consider the separation and loss issues for all those involved
 To consider how loyalty issues, contact arrangement and magical thinking can affect
children’s understanding of moving on
 To consider the feelings, thoughts and concerns about the child in your care moving on
 To consider how and when to talk to children about moving on
 To consider the key tasks and issues in preparing children for permanency
 To consider how to transfer attachments to new carers and adoptive families
Foster Carers - Standards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7
Parent and Child Placements
The aim of this two part course is to train and provide foster carers with the knowledge and tolls
needed to be able to provide parent and child placements.
Trainer Denise Christensen
Who Should attend:
Foster Carers identified by SSW, FRO or Team Manager.
Learning Outcomes
 Understand the need for parent and child placements
 Understand the legislation underpinning the placement and role
 Develop the skills to manage parent and child placements
 Understand the process for approval to offer Parent and Child Placements
 Understand the planning process for Parent and Child Placements
 Understand the role of the Foster Carer in Parent and Child Placements
 Understand the challenges that could arise within a Parent and Child Placement and how
to effectively deal with these
 Understand the requirements for recording and report writing within a Parent and Child
Placement
Kinship Carers – Standards 1,3,4,and 5

Promoting Contact and Working with Birth Families
Contact between looked after children and young people with their families can be a challenging
area of work. This course enables carers to understand the issues involved in planning and
managing contact, develop skills in dealing with challenges around contact and work with children
and young people to manage their feelings around contact.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Gain an understanding about contact between looked after children and young people and
their families
 Look at the challenges carers face when it comes to contact
 Know how to manage contact
 Look at strategies in supporting children and young people in their feelings about contact
Promoting Healthy Eating
This session will look at strategies for the promotion of healthy eating. The session will also
discuss ways on engaging young people in healthy eating.
Trainer Zak Darwood
Who Should attend:
All kinship and Foster Carers
Learning Outcomes
 Discuss ways in which healthy eating can be promoted with looked after children
 Look at strategies for ensuring children eat healthily
 Discuss concerns and difficulties that carers have when promoting health eating with children
 Look at basic recipes that children can be taught to enable their ownership of their own healthy
eating.

Sexual Abuse: An Introduction
This introductory course provides a basic level of understanding for Carers of Sexual Abuse and
Exploitation. The course looks at those who are at risk and provides carers with the tools to
effectively work with a child or young person who has or is at risk of being sexually exploited.
Trainer Kelli Eboji
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Be able to define sexual abuse and sexual exploitation
 Identify the risks to children and young people in their care
 Have some understanding of the impact on children and young people
 Have a basic understanding of legislation (including the sexual offences act 2003)
 Identify some of the indicators for a child or young person at risk
 Have a basic understanding of some techniques in how to respond and support the needs
of a child / young person who is at risk or engaging in sexual exploitation including
supporting a child / young person in making a disclosure
 Consider the impact on carers in caring for a child who is at risk of or engaged in sexual
exploitation
Foster Carers – Standards 2,4,6,and 7
Supporting Young People who have experienced Sexual Abuse
This course provides an in depth level of understanding for Carers of Sexual Abuse and tools to
support the young person who has experienced abuse. The course recaps knowledge of those at
those who are at risk and provides carers with the tools to effectively work with a child or young
person who has or is at risk of being sexually abused or exploited.
This course also provides tools for the carer to understand and deal with their own feelings
regarding the abuse that young people have suffered.
Trainer Kelli Eboji
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Be able to define sexual abuse and sexual exploitation
 Identify the risks to children and young people in their care
 Have a greater understanding of the impact on children and young people
 Have a basic understanding of legislation (including the sexual offences act 2003)
 Identify some of the indicators for a child or young person at risk
 Have an understanding of how to respond and support the needs of a child / young person
who is at risk or engaging in sexual exploitation including supporting a child / young person
in making a disclosure
 Consider the impact on carers in caring for a child who is at risk of or engaged in sexual
exploitation
Foster Carers – standards 2,4,6,and 7
Please note that you should attend the introduction session before this course.

Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities
This more in depth course will provide carers with an overview of the Children with Disabilities
service, the types of children currently looking for or in placement and some of the expectations
of carers of children with disabilities. Carers will look at the different types of disabilities and the
needs of the children, the support on offer and have an opportunity to discuss any concerns they
may have in undertaking these placements.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Be aware of the different types of disabilities
 Have an awareness of the current picture of children with disabilities in Brent
 Have an awareness of the support needs of different children with disabilities
 Be aware of the support on offer to carers of children with disabilities
 Have an opportunity to discuss concerns undertaking placements of children with
disabilities
 Look at strategies for supporting children and young people with disabilities to fulfil their
potential

Foster Carers – Standards 1,
The Role of Men in Fostering
The role of men in foster care has been the subject of increased debate. There is concern about
how best to work with children who have been sexually abused, worries about abuse by carers,
and unsubstantiated allegations of abuse in foster care. This training course explores the
particular issues for men as carers, particular vulnerabilities regarding safe care and the stereo
typical perceived role of male foster carers.
Who Should attend:
All Male Kinship and Foster Carers
Learning Outcomes
 To consider the role of men in society taking into consideration cultural and religious beliefs.
 To consider the idea of the ‘positive male role model’ to identify ways in which men can be
more effective carers.
 To examine the dynamics of male foster carers as single carers and as a couple.
 To consider the risk issues for men in fostering.
 To examine how gender influences child care work.
 To consider the role of men working with children who have been sexually abused and have
complex needs.
 To help identify why sexism must be challenged and how to do this effectively.
 To challenge the myths and stereotypes surrounding black men and gay men and to promote
anti-discriminatory practice.
 To consider safe care strategies and practice.
Foster Carers – Standards 1,2,3,4,6 and 7

Transitions and Ending with Looked After Children
To provide an opportunity for foster carers to understand how best to support traumatised children
and young people going through transitions and change
Trainer Jonathan Epps
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Have a greater understanding of the process of loss and grief, when a foster child or young
person moves on
 Have gained an understanding of the impact of secure and insecure attachment patterns
on the child’s or young person’s ability to deal effectively with transitions and endings
 Have recognised the importance of planned transitions and endings and how these can
impact on the foster child, carer and their family
 Have a greater understanding of how to help traumatised children and young people to
face change and loss
 Have gained an understanding of how to assist a child or young person to create a positive
‘script’ around transitions and endings
Foster Carers – Standard 3, 5 and 7
Working with Trafficked Children and Young People
This course provides an introductory level of understanding for working with children and young
people who have been trafficked into the UK. The course asks participants to look at the
additional needs of these children and the additional support required when offering placements
to this client group.
Trainer To be confirmed
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Look at the background of Trafficking of children and young children
 Understanding C&YP's level of experience re: abuse and neglect.
 Examples of disruptions to a CYP development
 Types of behaviour and linking this to a C&YP's past experience
 Looking at the potential risks involved in caring for a child or young person who has been
trafficked.
 Exploring strategies to manage a C / YP behaviour and promote their development.
 Discuss the additional areas of support a trafficked child or young person may require.

Working with LGBT Children and Young People
This training will increase your confidence in dealing with sexuality and identity as parts of crucial
development stages during adolescence and will help you be better foster parent with LGBT
young people.
Trainer Lukasz Konieczka
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
• To better understand sexuality and gender development in children
• To be able to support LGBT foster children with their non-heteronormative sexuality
and gender
• To better understand identity and its importance in formative stages of adolescence
IT Courses
Using Word
This workshop will cover
Understanding Word, using basic formatting and writing documents with a purpose.
This half day course is for carers who are new users of Word, but have some experience of using
a computer, windows and a mouse
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, you will be able to
 Use word to write a short document
 Understand and practice the use of formatting within a document
 Have knowledge of watermarks, footnotes, document control, password protection and
making changes to the page layout.
Foster Carers – standard 2 and 7
Kinship Carers – Standard 1, 2, 3 and 6

Email for Beginners
This workshop will cover:
 Understanding the BrentCarers.org email system,
 Sending, receiving and replying to email
 Using automatic (out of office) replies
 Using your calendar
 Adding contacts
This half day course is for carers who are new users of the BrentCarers.org email system, but
familiar with using a computer, windows and a mouse
Learning Outcomes
By the end the end of the half day, you will be able to:
 Send, receive and reply to email
 Use automatic (out of office) replies when you are away
 Keep your calendar up to date
 Use the contacts function
Excel and Using Spreadsheets
On completion of the event you will be able to: Create, format and edit a spreadsheet
Understand the interface, worksheets and workbooks Use simple formulas Print a spreadsheet
or sections of it.
Learning Outcomes
The aim to provide an introduction to Excel and enable the user to produce spreadsheets for simple
calculations. This course is designed for anyone who is new to spreadsheets and anyone already using
Excel who would like to know more about the basic functions and formulas.

Power Point for Beginners
The aim of this course is to expand learners’ general knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint to
include special slide show effects, multimedia and automation.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course you will be able to
 Apply background colour schemes and create a template
 Add special effects with animation and transition
 Create custom animation and a custom show
 Use hyperlinks within a PowerPoint slide
 Customise graphs and SmartArt graphics
 Using Multi-Media
Foster Carers – Standard 2 and 7
LSCB / PUBLIC HEALTH COURSES
Addressing the Impact of Substance Misuse
This course will give participants a basic knowledge of substance use including an introduction to
the relative harm to the individual user, those around them and the wider society.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Define what is meant by the phrase substance misuse
 Recognise the relative harm caused by using drugs and the possible impact on others
 Have a basic understanding of legislation relating to drug use, possession, supply and
production.
 Locate and understand the importance of drug policies in relation to work practice and
safeguarding and be able to see how they are incorporated in best practice

Digital Communication and its Impact on Children and Young People
This course will give participants an understanding of different methods of digital communication
and the safeguarding implications these may have on children and young people.
This course will also explore how people and organisations use social media and what the best
practice guidance is when using these methods of communication for both work and/or personal
purposes as well as the legislative and safeguarding implications practices including 'sexting',
'selfies' and 'cyber-bullying' etc.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Recognise the ways that different methods of digital
communication are commonly used
 Understand the importance of safeguarding their personal
and organisational information
 Recognise some of the issues regarding safeguarding
vulnerable people from exploitation and abuse via digital
media (including an overview of current trends and
relevant legislation)
 Know the best practice when using social media for
personal and professional purposes
 Develop strategies for safeguarding themselves and
others from harm related to digital communication
Foster Carers – Standards 3,5, 4 and 6
FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)
This session will give participants a basic knowledge of Female Genital Mutilation, an
understanding of the context in which FGM is practiced, clarity about their professional
responsibilities and information regarding the various support services that are available. This
session will also include information on how to talk about FGM with young people and
parents/carers.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Define what is meant by the phrase Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
 Discuss with others the context in which FGM is practiced
 Have an understanding of legislation and guidance relating to FGM
 Incorporate their FGM knowledge into their work environment
 Be clear about their safeguarding responsibilities in relation to concerns about FGM
 Be better equip to talk with others about FGM
 Refer people to local and national support services for accessing information, clinical
support, counselling, safeguarding, child protection and the criminal justice system.
Foster Carers – Standards 2, 3, 5and 6

Recognising And Responding to the Sexual Exploitation of Children
and Young People
This course will give participants the knowledge and understanding of how young people
become involved and react to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and how to recognise the
potential warning signs that a young person is at risk of or involved in CSE.
This course will also consider what is known about perpetrators and how they target, groom and
exploit young people and understand what is best practice in responding to issues of CSE.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Frameworks and Resources for raising
young people’s awareness
 Typical Indicators and Vulnerabilities
 Grooming models
 How to identify perpetrators
 How to respond to concerns
 Assessing risk and harm levels
 How to share information appropriately
 Effective engagement with young people
 about Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
 Current good practice guidance
 Referral pathways for appropriate support services
Contributes to Training, Support and Development
Standards
Foster Carers – standards 2,4, 5, and 6
Kinship Carers – Standards 1,3,5, and 6
Working together to Safeguard Children Level 1
This course will enhance participants awareness of what to do if they have a safeguarding
concern about a child and how to make an appropriate child protection referral in Brent.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 An understanding of what is meant by the terms 'Safeguarding' & 'Child Protection'
 Met with representatives of other agencies involved in safeguarding children in Brent
 A greater understanding of the various multi-agency processes used to safeguard
children
 Knowledge of what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare or safety.

WRAP - Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent
The workshop is a basic introduction to the Government 'Prevent Strategy'. It covers issues such
as, identifying vulnerabilities, normal social processes of 'belonging', terrorist ideologies including
case studies from extreme right-wing and Al Qa’ida inspired groups.
The workshop is beneficial in that it explores how members of staff within frontline services have
been able to successfully identify issues of concern and have sought help before a crime took
place.
During the workshop, there will be an opportunity to discuss how these issues present a risk in
your area.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 An awareness and understanding of the Prevent agenda and their role within it.
 The ability to use existing expertise and professional judgement to recognise potentially
vulnerable individuals who may be susceptible to messages of violence/extremism.
 The confidence to act on any concerns via your normal safeguarding procedures.
Foster Carers – Standards 1, 3, 6
Dishonour Violence, Forced Marriage and Spirit Possession
This course aims to bring awareness, help and support for professionals and volunteers with
regards to forced marriage, dishonour based violence and belief in spirit possession and how
abuse should not be justified because of religious reasons or cultural practices.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 An awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding Dishonour Violence, Forced
Marriage and Spirit Possession
 The ability to use existing expertise and professional judgement to recognise potentially
vulnerable individuals who may be susceptible or at risk.
 Information and Guidance in supporting individuals who may have been affected by such
issues.
 The confidence to act on any concerns via your normal safeguarding procedures.

Domestic Abuse – A Multi Agency Half Day Briefing to Raise
Awareness of Domestic Abuse and the role of the MARAC in Brent
This training course will provide an opportunity to learn about the impact that domestic abuse has
on individuals and the whole family and what support is available to help those affected by this
abuse.
Participants on this course will discuss some of the challenges multi-agency working may present
to practitioners and how the MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) process is
implemented.
Who Should attend:
Learning Outcomes
 Define domestic abuse, recognise its different forms and know its prevalence
 Make appropriate referrals to specialist support services in Brent and nationally.
 Understand the purpose and scope of a MARAC meeting
 Know the importance of multi-agency work especially when managing risks posed to
victims and survivors and their children and dependants
 Be aware of the MARAC information sharing protocol and how to use it when considering
what information to share
 Explain the role of an IDVA & how to access specialist domestic abuse service
 Know how to make a MARAC referral
 Be aware of the CAADA DASH risk assessment & where to access it
Online Courses
Children with Disabilities
Through this module you will:
 Recognise the myths and misconceptions around the abuse of children with disabilities
and the significance of the social model of disability
 Identify the factors that make children with disabilities particularly susceptible to abuse
 Understand the rights of children with disabilities, how differing communication needs
must be pursued, and how to recognise signs of abuse in a non-verbal child
 Recognise what must be done to proactively safeguard and protect children with
disabilities from abuse
 Identify what to consider during an investigation into abuse of a child with a disability
 Recognise the procedures for disclosure, recording and gathering information
Sexual Abuse
 Identify the signs of sexual abuse and recognise who can carry it out
 Explore the 'grooming' process and how children can sexually abuse other children
 Describe the key elements of an investigation into a case of child sexual abuse

Neglect
After completing this module, learners will be able to:
 Understand what the term neglect means and recognise signs, indicators and risk factors
that can lead to neglect
 Identify the components of parental capacity
 Understand how to identify significant neglect and the importance of early intervention
 Understand what is meant by 'good enough' parenting
 Understand the significance of effective evidence gathering and Identify protective factors
Emotional Abuse
After completing this module, learners will be able to:
 Understand how to define emotional abuse
 Know the signs and indicators of emotional harm and recognise behaviour of children
who are emotionally abused
 Recognise the importance of effective multi-agency collaboration to identify emotional
abuse
 Identify the parental factors that may suggest emotional abuse
 Understand the importance of managing risk
 Identify the risk domains associated with emotional abuse
 Identify forms of behaviour which could be viewed as emotional abuse to a child
Physical Abuse
 Identify the types of harm that constitute physical abuse
 Understand the importance and relevance of agencies working together
 Recognise the risk factors that can lead to physical abuse
Safeguarding and Child protection for adults working with children
This E-learning module is on safeguarding and child protection for adults working with children.
The module explores safeguarding issues, the signs and types of abuse as well as online safety
issues and an overview of the referral process.
The module deals with the context of child protection and how it is everybody's responsibility to
keep children safe. The different signs and types of abuse are described as are the ways to keep
children you work with safe.
Internet Safety
There is a range of resources online to help carers manage online risks and enable the
children and young people in their care use the internet safely and develop appropriate
digital relationships; the following websites will provide further guidance:
 www.thinkuknow.co.uk
 www.saferinternet.org.uk
 www.nspcc.org.uk
 www.parentsprotect.co.uk
 www.parentport.org.uk
Also ensure that you attend the Digital Safety Course advertised in this brochure.

Other Useful Information
Brent Fostering Handbook
http://www.fosteringhandbook.com/brent/
BrentCarers Email address Web Page
https://login.one.com/mail
Training, Support and Development Standards
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-for-foster-carers
Fostering Standards National Minimum Standards
http://www.minimumstandards.org/index.html
Children and Families Act 2014
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/contents/enacted
Children Leaving Care Act 2000
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/35/contents
Brent LSCB
http://www.brentlscb.org.uk/
Brent LSCB Training
http://brentlscb.learningpool.com/login/index.php
Brent Libraries
https://www.brent.gov.uk/services-for-residents/libraries/

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