Supporting foster families and practitioners

We recognise the huge benefits pets can bring to foster families with cared for children. However, sometimes having pets and children can also come with its challenges.

How does the Blue Cross support foster carers and practitioners?

In 2022, we conducted research in the cared for sector to explore the needs of foster carers with pets, care providers and practitioners to learn what support could help them ensure children and pets are happy and safe at home. 

Following on from our research findings, we have designed an online training workshop called 'Foster children and pets – staying happy and safe at home'. The free workshop can be booked for free by care providers and is suitable for:

• foster carers with pets
• practitioners who support foster carers and the children they care for

What can I expect from the workshop?

The online workshop aims to encourage discussions, sharing of experiences, problem solving, advice and top tips from our experts on a variety of topics.  In each session we aim to explore:

• the benefits of the presence of pets for children 
• ways for children and pets to be happy and safe at home
• dog body language to help keep children safe and our pets happier
• ways to foster positive reciprocal relationships between pets and children at home
• understanding pet loss or forced separation and how we can best support children through this
• how Blue Cross can support families with pets

How is the course delivered and how long does it take?

The workshop is virtual via Teams or Zoom and lasts one hour. You will need to ensure everyone has access to a good internet connection and access to either a PC, laptop, tablet or smart phone to take part.

How many people attend a workshop?

A minimum of eight attendees are required.

This can be a mixed group of practitioners and foster carers, or you can split the group up if you have a lot of interest.

Do you offer separate workshops for foster carers and practitioners?

From our experience, it’s great to have a mixed group as there is so much to learn from each other. However, if the group is particularly large or if it is required for a certain reason, this can be discussed and adapted to individual workshops if needed .

If I am a foster carer, can I book a workshop directly?

We only take bookings from care providers, such as local authorities or care agencies. Unfortunately, we do not take booking from individual foster carers.

If you’re a foster carer who wants to join a workshop, then you would need to contact your agency or local authority to see if this is of interest to them and they would need to book a workshop directly with us. 

What are the benefits of joining an online workshop?

Not only will the workshop equip you with knowledge on keeping children and pets safe within the home, but you will also receive a certificate, post course materials and posters to display at home.

Foster carers can add the training to their training log and evidence how they have met the training support and development standards – particularly those for:

• standard three (personal safety and security)
• standard five (supporting play, activities and learning)
• standard six (keeping children and young people safe from harm)

Support staff and practitioners can use what they have learnt to better support families who have pets at home.

How much does the course cost?

The course is free of charge, however donations towards our work are always gratefully received.  All donations made from our work will help our charity’s goal of helping sick, injured or homeless pets and the people who love them. 

Make a donation

How do I book?

If you are a care provider, you can arrange a workshop by:

1. emailing your interest to [email protected]
2. filling out the enquiry form below

Once we have received your request, an Education Officer will be in contact (usually within 48 hours) to discuss an appropriate time and date for your session and provide any further information. Please note, that if you are a foster carer, you will need to ask your care provider to make the booking.