Enhancing Foster Carers'' Training and Professionalism

Foster Carers'' Training and Professionalism presents findings from doctoral research undertaken in the Mackay, Bowen and Whitsunday region of North Queensland, Australia. This study explored the adequacy of existing foster carer educational levels and of specific foster carer training undertaken. Information about barriers and incentives to foster carers'' attendance at training, their perceptions of learning needs,preferred modes of training delivery, areas of training and carer support needs were all explored in this study. These are key areas which could assist foster carers to provide good quality care to children placed with them. Several major findings emerged from the research relating to foster carers''recognition of the need for accredited training,the push for the professionalisation of foster care and the notion of receiving a wage for undertaking this work. In conclusion,recommendations are presented, based on the findings of this research,for areas in which improvements could be made to Government policy and practice relating to foster carer training, accreditation, professionalism, payment and support.