Over the recent years, we have had to review how our service offers learning and development opportunities and this includes considering the positives of both face-to-face learning and virtual.
All mandatory training courses and timescales for renewal are on the page below. We are aware that our carers will have views on which training they find more beneficial than others therefore it is important that all carers complete the feedback and reflection forms provided after each course to submit their thoughts. The forms will contribute to any reviews of the mandatory training courses. A big thank you for all the feedback provided regarding the training already presented.
We have also included other opportunities for learning and development in the form of courses and information from other sources. We want to ensure that you can access a wide variety of subjects which match the needs of the care you are providing, if you have further suggestions then please let us know.
The Kinship, Adoption and Fostering Services will be running a number of informal Recruitment Events throughout this year!
Further details will be shared prior to each event. If you are available to assist at any of these, then please let us know by emailing AFAdmin@aberdeencity.gov.uk as this will contribute towards your competencies, supporting the ongoing development of the Kinship, Adoptions & Fostering Service.
We also continue to run our referral scheme for new foster carers, please speak to your Supervising Social Worker for more details.
Mandatory Training List
It is important that you ensure all mandatory training courses are completed and kept up to date, as this could impact your registration or approval at panel. Should you have any concerns about when your training is due to be renewed then please refer to your Learning and Development Plan and/or discuss with your individual worker.
Some courses in the table below are marked invite only and dates and times for these will not be listed in the training calendar, carers who have put themselves on the waitlist for these courses will be contacted directly in advance of a date being allocated to them. Please discuss with your worker if you feel any courses would benefit your learning.
While there are no mandatory training courses for Kinship Carers, all courses are open for you to access, and you can discuss this either with your allocated worker or any member of the Kinship Team.
Foster Carers
| Pre-Approval | Renewal Timescales |
|---|---|
| Skills to Foster | N/A |
| Safer Caring | 3 years |
| Child Protection | 3 years |
| First Aid – Invite Only | 3 years |
| LifeStory Work | 3 years |
| Internet Safety | 3 years |
| Theraplay for Foster Carers | Renewed when necessary |
| Record and Report Writing | 3 years |
| Adult Protection (16+) | Renewed when necessary |
| Post Approval | Renewal Timescales |
|---|---|
| Trauma Informed Care | Renewed when necessary |
| Loss and Bereavement | Renewed when necessary |
| Attachment | 3 years |
| Child Development | Renewed when necessary |
| Equality & Diversity | Renewed when necessary |
| Transitions | Renewed when necessary |
| Continuing Care – Invite only | Renewed when necessary |
Adopters
| Pre-Approval | Post Approval |
|---|---|
| Prep to Adopt | Trauma Informed Care |
| Safer Caring | Loss and Bereavement |
| Child Protection | Attachment |
| First Aid – Invite Only | Child Development |
| LifeStory Work | Transitions |
| Internet Safety | |
| Theraplay - Invite Only | |
| Record & Report Writing |
Feedback Form
After each training course all attendees will be given a Feedback & Reflection form, this is to gather views on the organisation, structure, and content of each course.
These forms are anonymous as our admin team will ensure your name will be left off the form when being passed onto facilitators.
It is important that these feedback forms are returned to admin to inform any decisions made regarding the future of the service providing training courses,
The decision has been made that the feedback and reflection forms are part of the training, and as such training certificates will not be awarded until these forms have been returned.
As it is now a requirement to complete a feedback and reflection form as part of the training, Foster Carers will be able to claim an additional 30 minutes of CPD for the completion of this form.
We are aware this is a new requirement, however, it has been agreed by the service as necessary to improve the quality and content of our future training courses.
External Training
If the course you are interested in is not available through Aberdeen City Council, please look at the other learning and development information provided as you may be able to access this through other means.
Individual workers will be able to support you in finding any additional training that you may be interested in.
AC Education - What we are charged
Did you know that each time we allocate access to an online training course through AC Education this costs £46 per course assigned to each learner?
We are charged this rate even if the learning requests this training and does not complete it!
This is why we can only assign one course at any given time to each learner. Learners must complete a course and quiz at the end before access to another can be given. We have a limited number of places, and we must ensure equal access is offered to all learners.
See Online Training and Resources for more about AC Education.