Course gives foster carers confidence

By listening to 70 foster carers, the Enable team learned of inadequate prior training, and fears about the digital space which led carers to be risk averse. They told of advice given to them by social workers or agencies that was sometimes hard to put into practice or damaging to the relationship they were trying to build with a child.

They might have to monitor the phone, but not know what to look for; or tell a child to uninstall an app through which they kept in touch with their remaining friends or explored their identity. Teens may view this as a major intrusion into privacy and find hacks around it.

Fewer than 40 per cent of foster carers said they have had adequate online safety training that meets their needs caring for vulnerable children and young people. While building trust and maintaining a good dialogue about online life was seen as vital to keep a young person safe online, other skills were needed. Life skills, social skills and handling money are all important for life but especially so online.

The training tries to tread gently between these different positions and offer support, resources, and an approach that uses psychology to explore motivation, emotional need and theories that might explain people's behaviour behind a screen.

The CPD accredited training programme is built upon a foundation of research evidence and consultation with frontline staff, children, young people and foster carers. It was created by psychologists and online safety specialists. Trainees have access to all resources and tools in the online resource library.

“If adults are accountable for keeping children safe, it is understandable to worry about risk. However, foster carers can help young people flourish online and develop digital resilience, making them safer for their futures,” explains Adrienne Katz, project manager and content editor of the programme. Read More