Practice Development

Practice Development Consultants in England

Practice Development Consultants are a key element of The Fostering Network’s membership offer to fostering services in England, providing high quality, specialist practice support and expertise.

 Practice Development Consultants:

• proactively promote excellence in fostering via expert advice and support on the framework governing fostering (such as legislation, regulation, standards, and guidance)
• provide practice advice, information, support and guidance to organisational members
• promote the development of good practice via information reports, briefings, online information and advice services, and delivery of workshops and training
• Help services take on board learning from The Fostering Network’s innovative programmes, such as Mockingbird
• facilitate and/or attend forums which enable members to network with others. There are forums for those whose role includes the management of fostering services (local authority and independent fostering providers), chairing of fostering panels, training and development for staff and foster carers, agency decision makers.
• ensure that issues raised by members are represented locally, regionally and nationally as appropriate. The Practice, Learning and Development Team proactively contributes to and influences the legislative and regulatory framework that governs fostering in England.
• develop working partnerships with other organisations (including government and third sector organisations) through contributions to collaborative projects and alliances.