Since April 2008, all fostering services have been required to implement the standards, which demand foster carers demonstrate knowledge on issues such as principles of fostering, safeguarding and effective communication. To do this, carers must complete a workbook within a year of being approved to foster.
But the Children's Workforce Development Council is now revising guidance for social workers charged with helping foster carers complete the standards.
Lynn Woodhouse, regional consultant for the Fostering Network, called for the revised guidance to simplify what carers must do to meet the standards.
"There's a lot of confusion about exactly what foster carers are required to do, and how much detail they need to provide," she said. "We've seen workbooks that run to several folders, but these are basic-level standards. If foster carers are asked to put that much effort into attaining these, where is there to go with the next level of training?"
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