The Open University is working with the UK’s leading fostering charity, the Fostering Network, to promote learning opportunities for foster carers. The opportunity to broaden your knowledge will help you to deliver the best possible care for children and young people. Our courses can also help you to fulfil requirements and standards for training, learning and development.

Open University courses are presented at different levels (from undergraduate to postgraduate), increasing in depth and complexity as they become more advanced. You can start where you like, depending on your needs and experience. You can choose a single course to update yourself, or combine them towards a qualification. See below to find out more about courses that could help you develop in your fostering role.

If you’re new to higher education you might like to try one of our introductory courses:
Openings and Level 1 courses are the ideal place to begin studying – they are equivalent to the level of study during the first year at a traditional university. Courses at this level include:
Understanding children (Y156)
Starting with Psychology (Y163)
An introduction to Health and Social Care (K101)

If you have a lot of experience in Fostering but no formal training:
Make your experience count (U122) gives you the opportunity to gain 30 credit points towards higher education qualifications by drawing on your past learning experiences.

If you have studied more recently:
If you already have experience of higher education study, feel confident to take a more advanced level course, or have an existing diploma or degree you may be interested in studying our level 2 or 3 courses:
Working with Children & Families (K204)
Childhood (U212)
Child Development (ED209)
Working together for Children (KE312)

If you would like to find out more about fostering visit www.fostering.net. To find out more about our courses order or download a free prospectus today!