Training that counts: foster carer learning, the TSD standards and ongoing development

BFCA Tutor

Sun, 27 Sep 2026

Training is not an optional extra for foster carers. It is written into the standards every fostering service in England is inspected against.

What the standards require

Standard 20 of the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards (2011) sets out the learning and development expected of foster carers. New carers must complete the Training, Support and Development (TSD) Standards within 12 months of approval, or within 18 months for family and friends foster carers. After that, carers are expected to keep developing, with a training and development portfolio that is reviewed as part of their annual review.

Standard 2 also asks services to promote every part of a child's identity. That means carers need training not only in safeguarding and therapeutic care, but in race, culture, faith and belonging too.

Why culturally informed training matters

Around one in five children in care in England is from a Black, mixed or multiple ethnic background. Many are cared for by families who do not share their heritage. Carers tell us they want practical help: how to talk about race, how to respond to racism at school, how to care for hair and skin, how to support identity through life story work. Supervising social workers want evidence that this learning has happened.

How BFCA Academy helps

• Start free: three free courses, including Talking About Race with the Child in Your Care.
• Themed bundles: five courses on one topic for £79, such as Carer Essentials or Safeguarding and Online Safety.
• For teams: the Training your staff bundle, plus organisation licences for fostering services, residential providers and local authorities.

Every course comes with a certificate of completion, which carers can add to their portfolio and discuss at annual review.

Build learning into every carer's year, and give every child a carer who understands them.