Skills for fostering

[Nervous2016]

So me and my husband have just started looking into fostering and in a few weeks will be attending the skills for fostering training. We are already nervous about all the usual things about fostering and now I have read that on this training there is roleplay? Has anyone please done this training?

I don't remember there being any role play, and if there was it certainly wasn't compulsory. Don't worry, the people leading the course will want you to feel at ease and relaxed. I enjoyed it, although it's a lot to take in and is quite tiring. I'm sure you'll enjoy it too once you get there

When I did the training about 3 years ago we had to do role play and I hated it! We weren't given any choice either just given roles and assumed we would do them. I did it because I didn't want them to think I wasn't confident ( I am, I just hate role play!). But now when I go on training I just say 'I don't want to take part thanks'.

I know it's probably not what you want to hear but best to be prepared so you can decide what you are going to do/say if you are asked to do it.

Btw so many people hate it you wont be alone. Really don't know what they think people gain from it? Good luck 😉 xx

I am the same I am confident just hate role play and when it's new to you what do they expect you to do.

Brilliant thank you 🙂

Just hoping we get accepted for fostering but a long journey in front of us 🙈 Xx

From memory the only role play type activity we did was where they gave us a scenario involving a young girl who had been removed from her parents and placed with foster carers because of allegations of abuse. Each person was given a role as one person who was involved in the case somehow and had to say what they would be feeling.

Like you I hate doing role play and was somewhat daunted when the man playing the birth dad gave a really dramatic performance ("What do you mean you're taking my daughter away? Are you accusing me of abusing her? How dare you. So when do I get to see her? I'm calling a lawyer" etc etc you get the idea. All very shouty and aggressive, he really got into the role.

I was meant to be the biological daughter of the foster carers and when it got to my turn, instead of directly role playing I just spoke about the daughter in the third person so saying something like "I think the daughter might be feeling a bit nervous and wondering what has happened to the little girl who has moved into her house..." And that was fine with the trainers.

So what I think I'm trying to say is don't feel too scared by the class show offs, stick to what you're comfortable with and you'll be fine. Good luck!

Thank you everyone you've been so helpful

We went on the course a year ago... We didn't do any role play moreso split into teams to answer scenarios, then again to answer questions on child development. My hubby would not have entertained any role play! He actually enjoyed the course and was quite interactive. Good luck xx

Thank you T123. My husband wouldn't eiter as he's quite shy in public. Thanks 😁

I've just done this course (actually this week). Found that activity a bit awkward too. I was the foster dad!

Am quite nervous about the next steps.