Social Work Form F Assessment Online Training CPD Accredited

Description

Assessing potential foster carers can be a richly rewarding role – not only do Form F assessors help create new foster families, they are also in high demand (independent Form F assessors in the UK can earn around £2,500 per completed assessment). This online, CPD-accredited course provides social workers with a comprehensive toolkit to complete Form F Fostering Assessments from start to finish. Whether you are a newcomer to fostering assessments or an experienced assessor, this course will enhance your skills in information-gathering, analysis, and reflective practice to ensure high-quality, evidence-based Form F reports. The training is built around the latest UK best practices (following CoramBAAF Form F guidelines) and real-world case studies, including lessons from serious case reviews and use of the Secure Base Model for assessing foster carers. Complete 15 interactive modules (20 CPD hours) at your own pace – and finish with the confidence to produce exceptional Form F assessments that meet all statutory requirements and stand up to scrutiny at panel.

Places are limited to book now to avoid disappointment reserve your spot for now!

Form F Assessment is the standard comprehensive evaluation of prospective foster carers in the UK. It involves an in-depth exploration of the applicant’s life and abilities to determine if they can provide a safe, nurturing home for vulnerable children. Our course demystifies this complex process, breaking it down into manageable steps across 10 modules. You will learn how to plan and conduct assessment visits, carry out Stage 1 checks (like DBS and reference checks) diligently, and compile the extensive information needed for the Form F (which often results in a report over 100 pages long). Crucially, the course emphasizes analytical skills – moving beyond mere information gathering to critically evaluating what the findings mean for the applicant’s fostering capacity. We cover the importance of reflection and analysis in each section of the Form F (as required by CoramBAAF guidance), ensuring your assessments are insightful and evidence-based.

Each module features engaging lessons with real examples. You will examine case studies (including scenarios where assessments encountered challenges or “red flags”), and learn how to handle sensitive issues that may arise – for example, how to explore an applicant’s difficult childhood or a past conviction with professionalism and insight. One full module is dedicated to the Secure Base Model, a framework developed by Professor Gillian Schofield and Dr. Mary Beek, which identifies five dimensions of caregiving (Availability, Sensitivity, Acceptance, Co-operation, Family Membership) that promote a child’s security and development. You will learn how to apply these dimensions when assessing prospective carers, to gauge how they might provide a secure base for foster children. Another module focuses on lessons from serious case reviews related to foster care, highlighting how thorough assessments and sound professional judgment are vital to prevent harm.

The course is delivered entirely online through multimedia lessons – including written content, short videos, and reflective exercises. For example, you’ll watch videos such as “What does the fostering assessment process involve?” (West Sussex CC) for an overview, and an expert talk on the Secure Base Model. Interactive knowledge checks and quizzes reinforce your learning at the end of each module. You will also complete practical short tasks that build your experience, from analysing a sample applicant’s background and writing an assessment snippet, to designing questions that probe a candidate’s resilience or support network. Throughout, you are encouraged to reflect on your own values and assumptions to become a more self-aware practitioner.

By the end of this training, you will have a thorough understanding of how to complete a Form F assessment that meets the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards. You will know how to gather and verify information (with “no stone left unturned” thoroughness), engage applicants in an open and honest manner, assess their strengths and areas for development, and compile a well-structured, analytical report with a grounded recommendation to the fostering panel. Graduates of this course will be fully equipped to conduct Form F assessments for local authorities or independent fostering agencies, or even work freelance as independent Form F assessors, contributing to the approval of safe and suitable foster carers across the UK.

Course Content

The course is organized into 15 modules, each containing several lessons and a final quiz. Key topics include:

Our CPD Accredited training course is designed to equip social workers to produce high quality assessments. Social workers who are new to fostering assessments or those who are experienced will benefit from developing their analytical and reflective skills. Newly qualified and social work students who are looking to join a fostering team will benefit from the course.

The course is geared towards practice in England however social workers based in Wales and Scotland are able to attend and will receive a guidance book covering the legislation and processes for their respective countries.

This course is designed for social workers who are (or will be) involved in assessing prospective foster carers. It is ideal for:

Attendees are required to be a qualified social worker or social work student. No prior experience conducting Form F assessments is required – the course will cover fundamentals – but you should bring a willingness to reflect on case scenarios and engage in written tasks. All course materials are provided online.

The course will give social workers the skills needed to complete Form F Assessments for local Authorities, Independent Fostering Agencies or to work as an independent Form F Assessor.

After completing the course each delegate will receive a CPD accredited certificate (20 CPD hours). CPD number #777300 The CPD Group.

To access the online course all registered delegates will receive an email containing a link. All that is required is a computer and an internet connection. Delegates will also have the option dial into the session from a phone.

Places are limited to book now to avoid disappointment reserve your spot for now! By registering you are agreeing to us securing you a place on the course and you being issued with an invoice for payment.