Foster Care Training
Courses for Foster Care Applicants
and Approved Carers
Training is a key component of your Foster Care assessment and plays an important role ongoing in your Foster Care journey.
Training is offered to help equip and prepare you for the challenges and realities of fostering, and is provided ongoing to approved foster carers to support them in their journey caring for children and young people placed in their care.
During the assessment process, your applicant training will cover the following topics:
- Shared Lives: Foster Care Context, Bonding and Attachment, Grief and Loss, Abuse and Trauma, Identity and Birth Family Contact, Challenging Behavior and Teamwork
- Cultural Immersion (Aboriginal Cultural Competency)
- Safe Environments for Children and Young People
- Safe Care of Infants (if applicable)
- Provide First Aid and CPR
- Three Pillars of Transforming Care (Specialist Care Only)
Approved Foster Carers are required to maintain currency in their mandatory training (SECYP, First Aid, Infant Safety).
Foster Carers are also provided additional advanced learning opportunities such as a wide variety of online courses, Sexual Predator Awareness training, Mental Health First Aid, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Circle of Security and more.
Further information and instructions for how to register is provided in the drop down menu below.
We look forward to seeing you in training!
We proudly promote and support approved carers to access a wide variety of ongoing advanced training opportunities.
Register Here
Foster Care Applicants and Approved foster carers register here!
Course for Approved Foster Carers
The program offers plenty of activities that facilitate conversations among participants to hear from each other and share their deep experiences as parents and carers.
Through our program for kinship and foster carers, we aim to support the expression of their feelings, opinions, and experiences. Listening to them is our main practice to foster reflective capacity.
We encourage kinship and foster carers to recount stories about their family background. Participants tell each other stories that depict different aspects of their culture, history, and religion. By doing so, the group reflects on how the family background works in welcoming the new child into the family and communicating with them.
We also engage carers in a more challenging conversation – reflecting on the biological parents’ story. It is sometimes hard for carers to reflect on the biological parents and listen to their stories. Our work continues with the tree analogy and envisages the carer as the old and strong tree whose roots are supportive of the sapling (the child) and still supportive of the sick or damaged tree (biological parents). This provides the foundations for further discussions involving the children and the ongoing journey of being a carer.
Finally, we invite them to reflect on the relationship between the child and the carer family and find hope in the idea that the plasticity of the nervous system can create opportunities to repair relationships. This conversation reminds the carers that ruptures can potentially occur within any of the relationships they have. It remains just as important for these relationships to be repaired, not only for the impact they can have on available support but also because the child (or children) will feel the impact of strain in the relationships around them.
This training will be held over three sessions
Upcoming Training Dates
Tues 25 April, Tues 1 & 8 May 2025, 10am – 1pm, Kent Town
Tues 5, 12 & 19 August 2025, 10am – 1pm, Kent Town
Course for Approved Foster Carers
Safety, security and trust are the key to healthy relationships.
COS-P can help you feel more connected to the children you care for, and learn more about a child’s needs being communicated through behaviours.
COS-P focuses on attachment and relationship based parenting to help a child in your care feel safe, secure and connected.
You can learn about your own needs and parenting style, to support the attachment you develop with a child you care for.
This training will be held over three sessions and facilitated online.
Upcoming Training Dates
Tuesday 6, 13 & 20 2025 | 10am – 12:30pm each day | Online
Tuesday 4, 11 & 18 November 2025 | 10am – 12:30pm each day | Online
Cultural Considerations
This workshop covers:
-The broad concepts of ‘culture’, cultural awareness, cultural safety, cultural humility and cultural competence
-South Australia’s current demographics, including diversity in languages and religions
-The immigration and re-settlement experiences with a focus on the refugee experience
-Reflections on our own culture and how it can create bias towards people from other cultures
-Cross-cultural communication skills and working with interpreters
-The importance of cultural identity maintenance for the wellbeing of young people in care and,
-CALD specific services in South Australia that may be relevant to Lutheran Care’s CALD families.
Upcoming Dates – This course is for Staff Only.
Wednesday 5 February 2025, 10am to 4pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle Street)
Thursday 27 March 2025, 10am to 4pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle Street)
Thursday 1 May 2025, 10am to 4pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle Street)
Thursday 12 June 2025, 10am to 4pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle Street)
Thursday 23 October 2025, 10am to 4pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle Street)
Course for Applicants and Approved Foster Carers
Empower your journey as a Foster Carer with our specialised cultural immersion training, tailored for those caring for Aboriginal children and young adults.
This program goes beyond surface-level understanding, offering deep insights, and perspectives. Learn how to create a nurturing environment that honours the cultural identity of the children in your care, building stronger, more respectful connections.
Whether you’re new to fostering or experienced, this training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to support the cultural needs of Aboriginal children, ensuring they thrive in a setting that respects and celebrates their culture.
Upcoming Dates
Thursday 28 November 2024, 10:30am – 1:30pm, Gawler (cnr Second & Seventh St).
Saturday 30 November 2024, 10:30am – 1:30pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle St).
Thursday 12 December 2024, 6pm – 9:30pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle St).
E-Safety Courses for Approved Carers
Visit the E-safety website for upcoming workshops.
If you do participate in an E-Safety workshops, let your Lutheran Care Foster Care Case Worker know so it can be included on your annual training record.
Course for Approved Foster Carers
A practical guide to understanding the grief and loss of children and teens, this presentation run by bereaved parent and teacher, Kat Brown. Offering insight into how carers, teachers and educators can support a very unique set of needs and emotions in children.
Understanding grief in children is vitally important in being able to efficiently support them and their emotional and physical needs. It is also important for the longer-term grief journey that will follow the loss experienced in their lives.
Course topics include: What you need to know, myths, developmental stages, what to expect, practical tips and resources and support services.
No dates currently listed. Express Interest below
Express Interest via the link below
Course for Applicants and Approved Carers of Children and Young People under two years of age.
Infant Safety Training is a requirement for all Lutheran Care Foster Carers, Applicants and Foster Care Staff working with children aged 0 – 2 years.
The learning outcomes from the Kidsafe SA Training include:
-A clear understanding of the range and incidence of preventable childhood injuries
-Strategies to reduce preventable childhood injuries
-Strategies to increase the safety of children’s environments
A supporting resource kit and certificate of attendance is provided to those who complete the Kidsafe SA Infant Safety Training.
Foster Care Applicants, Carers and Staff
Visit the Kidsafe SA website to see upcoming dates.
Kidsafe SA offer both face to face or online delivery. View the above link for all the details. When you have chosen your preferred date register via the below form.
In collaboration with Lutheran Care, LBI Foundation are offering a number of public Care IMPACT Specialist Workshop Modules.
These engaging and interactive workshops are facilitated live by Dr Ivan Raymond (Clinical Psychologist) and Kylie Agnew (Registered Teacher and Psychologist). Sessions are held live and not recorded to honour the participants’ privacy and confidentiality while engaging in the session.
Optional: Participants completing the workshop will be invited to complete an online accreditation process and have a certificate linked to their LBI learning record.
Visit the LBI Calendar of Events page to see upcoming courses, dates and further details about key content covered in each course.
How to Register
These workshops are open to all Lutheran Care approved Foster Carers and staff. You can register online to attend workshops via the LBI website. Select the “Member” option to register without payment required. Type “Lutheran Care” where it asks for confirmation of agency affiliation.
Course for Approved Foster Carers
IMPACT is a capacity building program that equips and empowers children, adults, families and communities to understand and intentionally apply the science of wellbeing, intentional practice, trauma, resilience and growth for themselves, and across all supporting relationships.
IMPACT Foundations is the introductory Accreditation Level of the IMPACT Program. This one-day workshop is for learning the foundational knowledge and skills to apply intentional communication and strategies to support growth outcomes in the lives of the children and young people. It is an introduction to the scientific method of intentional practice.
Upcoming Training Dates
Thursday 13 February 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm, Kent Town
Thursday 15 May 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Edwardstown Baptist Church
Thursday 21 August 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm, Gawler
Thursday 20 November 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm, Kent Town
Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) is mandatory for Foster Carers and required staff. You will need to provide your Unique Student Identifier as part of booking your course.
In preparation for submitting your booking request, you can visit the following webpage to find your USI. https://www.usi.gov.au/students/find-your-usi
Applicants and Approved Carers:
Visit the St Johns website to find a course date and location that suits you.
https://www.stjohnsa.com.au/shop-our-courses#courses-list
When you’ve selected a date, note the details and come back here to book in. Foster Care Applicants are not required to pay for the cost of First Aid training as it comprises part of your formal assessment. Submit the details of the course you would like to attend via the below form.
Staff only:
Visit the First Aid Pro website and find a course date and location that suits you. https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/
Please DO NOT book your training via the website.
Email fctraining@lutherancare.org.au with the following details and we will book your training on your behalf:
Course Required:
Course Date & Location:
Name:
DOB:
Personal Email:
Phone Number:
USI:
Safe Environments for Children and Young People (SECYP)
This Course is mandatory for Foster Care Applicants and Approved Carers.
This 7 hour initial course presented by highly experienced facilitators is designed to protect young people from all forms of abuse. It assists participants in understanding the issues, their obligations and the correct response if abuse is suspected.
Includes work book and certificate on completion.
The course covers:
-The various forms of abuse
-How to recognize indicators of abuse
-The values of early intervention
-How and when to notify the authorities
-Dealing with concerns about reporting abuse
-Common values and why abuse is sometimes over looked
Upcoming Training Dates
Fri 21 Feb 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Sat 22 March 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Fri 9 May 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Sat 28 June 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Fri 15 August 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Sat 13 Sept 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Fri 24 Oct 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Sat 29 Nov 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Course for Eligible Applicants and Approved Carers (SECYP Refresher)
This course is mandatory for Foster Carers to complete every 3 years.
Safe Environments for Children and Young People refresher course is recommended every 3 years and covers the topics in the initial Child Safe Environments training plus any changes to mandatory reporting responsibilities.
A certificate is issued on completion.
Upcoming Training Dates
Wed 29 Jan 2025, 6pm – 9pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 26 Feb 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 26 March 2025, 6pm – 9pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 30 April 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 25 June 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm (33 Rundle Street, Kent Town)
Wed 6 August 2025, 6pm – 9pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 17 September 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 5 November 2025, 6pm – 9pm (Online via Teams)
Wed 3 December 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm (33 Rundle Street, Kent Town)
Course for Approved Carers
An online seminar presented by Carl Collins from Child Protection Solutions. The webinar covers an overview of sexual abuse, types of offenders, why children and young people don’t report, understanding and responding to disclosures, how to stay within your framework, grooming process, and ways to keep your family safe.
A content warning is provided at the beginning of the seminar. Some restricted content from comedians is referenced during the session. Links to those clips are included via the Carer Portal link below.
Presenter: Carl Collins from Child Protection Solutions
Online Webinar available via the Carer Portal
Please use the link below to navigate and log in to the Carer Portal to view the webinar in full online and at your own pace.
Course for Foster Care Applicants
Shared Lives is an introduction course for people who are interested in foster care. The course will assist participants to make an informed choice about whether caring is an appropriate role for them. It provides necessary information in relation to the Child Protection system, the assessment process and is a relaxed way to get know the agency.
Course topics cover; what fostering is about, the difference that good foster care can make, the importance of safety and connection for children, how fostering might affect you and your family, what skills and knowledge foster carers need, are you a good match for us? The course complements the assessment process and will inform on an introductory level.
Each course is facilitated over two days and it is necessary to participate on both days.
Upcoming Training Dates
Sat 1 & 8 February 2025,
Fri 4 & 11 April 2025,
Sat 3 & 10 May 2025,
Fri 13 & 20 June 2025,
Sat 23 & 30 August 2025,
Fri 19 & 26 September 2025,
Sat 8 & 15 November 2025,
Specialist Care Applicants and Approved Foster Carers
Developed by Dr Howard Bath and Diana Boswell, both with extensive backgrounds as practitioners and researchers in out of home care, this course is based on research evidence, current clinical perspectives and years of direct experience with children and young people with complex needs and challenging behaviours and provided in Australia, Europe, Canada and the USA. This course is designed for those who live or work with children and young people who have been exposed to various forms of severe adversity including chronic stress and trauma. This includes all caring adults who are not necessarily engaged in formal therapy but aim to understand, support, nurture, mentor and provide limits for children and young people whose needs and behaviours can be baffling and challenging.
Three Pillars is offered in two modes of delivery. Shorter sessions over three days, or over two longer days.
Upcoming Training Dates
Sat 24 & 31 May 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm, Kent Town (33 Rundle Street, Kent Town)
Tues 9, Wed 10 & Thurs 11 September 2025, 9:30am to 2:30pm, Edwardstown Baptist Church (Dorene St, St Marys)
Advanced Training for Foster Carers
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF)
All children become upset, frustrated, angry and experience loss or hurt to various degrees. One of the most critical skills for carers is to teach their children how to manage and express these feelings in more socially and developmentally appropriate ways.
The Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF) program gives carers the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to help their children in times of emotional distress through crisis prevention and de-escalation. Managing these emotions teaches children how to avoid losing control now and in future times of emotional crisis and to express their feelings in developmentally appropriate ways.
The course is held across multiple days and attendance to all days is necessary to complete the course.
Upcoming Training Dates
Wed 12, Thurs 13, Wed 19 & Thurs 20 March, 2025, 9:30am – 2:45pm, Edwardstown Baptist Church
Sat 26 July, Sat 2 & 9 Aug, 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families – Register Here
Advanced Training for Foster Carers
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF): Complex Needs and Neurodiversity
All children become upset, frustrated, angry and experience loss or hurt to various degrees. One of the most critical skills for carers is to teach their children how to manage and express these feelings in more socially and developmentally appropriate ways.
The Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF) program gives carers the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to help their children in times of emotional distress through crisis prevention and de-escalation. Managing these emotions teaches children how to avoid losing control now and in future times of emotional crisis and to express their feelings in developmentally appropriate ways.
Prerequisite
The one-day course builds upon the learning in TCIF. Participants must have completed the three-day TCIF to attend this training.
Upcoming Training Dates
Part One: Thursday 13 February 2025, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Kent Town
Course for Approved Foster Carers
The Youth MHFA course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals. The course equips adults with the skills to recognise and respond to an adolescent who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis situation. Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, Youth MHFA teaches participants how to support an adolescent until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Topics covered include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. You will learn how and where to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what help research has shown to be effective and how to provide first aid in crisis situations.
Upcoming Training Dates
Tues 4, Wed 5 & Thurs 6 March 2025, Kent Town
Tues 14, Wed 15 & Thurs 16 October 2025, Kent Town
Learn more about our partnership with LBI Foundation
Foster Care Training
Questions?
Unsure or can’t find what you’re looking for?
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact your Assessment Worker or for approved foster carers, your allocated Foster Care Case Worker in the first instance.
Further queries related to Foster Care training can be directed to the Lutheran Care Foster Care Training Coordinator.
08 8337 8787 | fostercaretraining@lutherancare.org.au
Care for CALD Children
Our Support for Foster Carers
