All training for Greater Manchester’s foster carers is available free of charge and continues after being approved as a foster carer. 

Once approved there are ongoing mandatory and optional training courses which all 10 local councils provide for their foster carers. This training is held locally and/or online. During the first two years, newly approved carers are required to complete a series of core skills training.

The training courses available include:

• Attachment and identity.
• Care planning.
• Health needs of looked after children.
• Parenting children who are looked after (Behaviour Management).
• Safeguarding.
• Life story work.
• Paediatric first aid.
• Therapeutic training: supporting children through trauma.
• Safer sleeping (when caring for a child under two years old).
  
  

To help develop in the role as a foster carer, there are also opportunities for additional training and support.