Therapeutic Fostering Assessment & associated Qualifications, Training & Support for Fostering Organisations
A New Standard for Therapeutic Foster Care
The Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA) is an innovative, trauma-informed approach to assessing and preparing Therapeutic Foster Parents. Developed by leading experts in child trauma and therapeutic parenting, the TFA combines assessment, training, and evidence-gathering into a single, seamless process
Unlike traditional assessment models, the TFA integrates the Level 2 Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering, ensuring applicants develop the knowledge, understanding, and confidence needed to care for children who have experienced trauma before they are approved to foster.
Designed for Independent Fostering Agencies and Local Authorities, the TFA reduces duplication, streamlines assessment, and provides a richer, more authentic picture of each applicant.
Developed by Experts
The Therapeutic Fostering Assessment was created by Sarah Naish and the team at The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma (COECT).
Sarah Naish is an internationally recognised expert in therapeutic parenting, a therapeutic parent, best-selling author, former fostering social worker, and founder of highly regarded therapeutic fostering agencies. She continues to provide consultancy, training, and keynote presentations to fostering services, adoption agencies, and local authorities across the UK and internationally
The Level 2 Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering, which forms an integral part of the assessment process, was developed by Sair Penna, Head of the School of Therapeutic Parenting Studies, former fostering panel chair, best-selling author, and Director of COECT.
Why Choose the TFA?
The Therapeutic Fostering Assessment has been designed to improve both the applicant experience and the quality of assessment
The TFA:
Combines assessment, training and evidence gathering into one integrated process
Reduces duplication and unnecessary paperwork
Uses clear, jargon-free language throughout.
Encourages applicants to tell their own story, creating a more authentic assessment
Integrates the Level 2 Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering from the beginning of the process.
Maps learning and evidence against the Training, Support and Development Standards (England) and the All Wales Induction Framework (AWIF).
Produces a concise, evidence-based assessment for panel members and Agency Decision Makers
Supports applicants from the first enquiry through approval to their Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Benefits for Agencies
The TFA helps agencies to:
Recruit applicants who are better prepared for therapeutic fostering
Reduce family instability through improved preparation
Streamline assessment and training.
Save assessor time by removing duplicated evidence gathering.
Reduce administration through integrated online learning
Receive automatic learner progress reports and certification
Improve panel confidence through a clearer, more comprehensive assessment.
Evidence-Based
and Successfully Piloted
The TFA was piloted by two Independent Fostering Agencies between October 2020 and June 2021.
Feedback from: Applicants
Assessing Social Workers Panel Members
Agency Decision Makers Administrators was overwhelmingly positive.
The pilot demonstrated that the TFA: created a significantly more user-friendly assessment process reduced duplication improved applicant engagement saved assessor and administrative time streamlined training and evidence gathering better prepared applicants for the realities of therapeutic fostering.
Applicants who had previously completed traditional fostering assessments reported that the TFA was considerably easier to understand and more meaningful, with several stating that it influenced their decision to transfer agencies.
Flexible Delivery
The TFA can be delivered by qualified Social Workers or suitably experienced professionals working under the supervision of a qualified Social Worker. Most assessment sessions can be completed remotely using platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, reducing travel time while maintaining flexibility Home visits remain an essential part of the assessment process
Applicants complete integrated online learning throughout the assessment, ensuring they gain a thorough understanding of: child trauma therapeutic parenting attachment developmental trauma therapeutic fostering practice.
Implementation
Implementation is straightforward
1.Identify assessors and managers. Contact CoECT to arrange a call to discuss implementation and book training (info@coect.co.uk)
2 Complete Therapeutic Fostering Assessment training
3 Receive organisational access to the online learning platform
4.Receive all assessment templates and the Assessor's Guide.
5.Begin assessments and enrol applicants onto the Therapeutic Fostering
Qualification
6.Access optional consultancy and implementation support from COECT.
Pricing
Start-up Package
£2,800 + VAT
Includes:
One full day of implementation training with Sarah Naish.
Organisational access to the Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering
Enrolment and certification for the first four fostering applications (maximum of 8 individuals)
Mapping of the qualification to TSD/AWIF
TFA templates
Assessor's Guide. Additional Support
Additional consultancy, implementation support, manager training, panel training, and foundation therapeutic parenting training are available.
£750 + VAT per day
Ongoing Costs
Following the first four fostering applications:
£360 + VAT per fostering application for Local Authorities and not-for-profit organisations.
£460 + VAT per fostering application for for-profit Independent Fostering Agencies
Each fostering application includes up to two learners: two foster parent applicants, or one foster parent applicant and one nominated supporting person Both learners receive enrolment in the Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering, certification upon successful completion, and mapping to the TSD Standards/AWIF.
License
The start-up package includes a two-year licence to use the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment At the end of the two-year period, organisations may renew their licence to continue using the TFA
CERTIFICATE IN THERAPEUTIC FOSTERING.
Duration
3-6 months, dependent on the individual applicant.
Who is the Qualification for?
The Therapeutic Fostering qualification is aimed at foster parents and supporting professionals who work within the agency, and who support looked-after children who have suffered early life trauma through prenatal or postnatal stress, neglect, domestic violence, and/or abuse. It is used alongside the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment. (TFA)
Qualification Content
Role of the Professional Therapeutic Foster Parent
Developmental trauma and its impact
Building safe, secure, and trusting relationships
Supporting the needs of the growing and developing child
Creating a therapeutic fostering environment
Taking care of ourselves
Safe Administration, Storage and Transfer of Medication
Mode of Learning
Self-paced online learning via a learning platform
Please note: The qualification is studied online via a learning platform; therefore, applicants must be ICT-literate.
Qualification Benefits
Foster parents will be able to learn and put into practice Therapeutic Parenting strategies, which will help them to develop a trusting relationship with their child, and they will also gain certification for the Therapeutic Fostering Qualification
The qualification is mapped to the TSD (England) and AWIF (Wales) requirements, enabling learners to evidence these requirements through successful completion of the qualification
Accreditation & Certification
On successful completion, learners will receive a certificate from The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma CIC.
Qualification Costs
£360* per fostering application for the Therapeutic Fostering Certificate The fee covers up to two applicants: either two foster parent applicants or one foster parent applicant and one supporting person. The supporting person does not need to live with the foster parent applicant
Therapeutic Fostering Assessment, training, and implementation support are available for an additional fee Please contact inspire@coect co uk for more information
*Plus VAT.
What
our Learners say...
Who is the Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering designed for?
The qualification has been developed to support fostering agencies in fostering the professional development of foster carers. It is suitable for new applicants, approved foster parents, and supervising social workers seeking to embed a consistent, trauma-informed therapeutic approach across their service.
How does the programme work alongside the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA)?
The qualification complements the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment by providing targeted learning to help foster parents strengthen the areas identified in their assessment. Together, they create a structured pathway for developing therapeutic knowledge, confidence and practice.
When should Foster Parents complete the qualification?
Foster Parents should complete the Therapeutic Fostering Qualification alongside the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA). The learning is designed to complement the assessment process, helping applicants develop their therapeutic knowledge and understanding while demonstrating their readiness to provide trauma-informed care. The programme should be completed before attending fostering panel, to demonstrate their underpinning knowledge and understanding of how to support children in foster care.
When should Foster Parents complete the qualification?
Agencies can choose the enrolment option that best suits their needs:
Individual enrolment: We can provide your agency with a registration link, allowing foster parents to enrol and pay for the programme online individually. Agency enrolment: Alternatively, your agency can provide us with a list of foster parents. We will enrol them on your behalf and issue a single invoice for the agreed number of places, making it easy to manage larger cohorts.
Once enrolled, foster parents will receive their access details and can begin the programme immediately.
How long do carers have access to the qualification?
Foster Parents have access to the Therapeutic Fostering Programme for 12 months from the date of enrolment. During this time, they can revisit the modules, resources and learning activities as often as they wish to reinforce their knowledge and support their ongoing therapeutic practice.
Can Foster Parents revisit the course after completing it?
Yes. Throughout their 12-month access period, carers can return to the course as often as they wish. We encourage learners to revisit the modules and resources to refresh their knowledge, support reflective practice, and apply their learning as they gain experience in their fostering journey.
Can Foster Parents revisit the course after completing it?
Yes. Throughout their 12-month access period, carers can return to the course as often as they wish. We encourage learners to revisit the modules and resources to refresh their knowledge, support reflective practice, and apply their learning as they gain experience in their fostering journey.
When should Foster Parents complete the qualification?
Foster Parents should complete the Therapeutic Fostering Qualification alongside the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA). The learning is designed to complement the assessment process, helping applicants develop their therapeutic knowledge and understanding while demonstrating their readiness to provide trauma-informed care. The programme should be completed before attending fostering panel, to demonstrate their underpinning knowledge and understanding of how to support children in foster care.
Can supervising social workers access the qualification?
Yes. Every agency licence includes an organisational copy of the Therapeutic Fostering Qualification, including the qualification content. This enables supervising social workers to view the content themselves, develop a shared understanding of the therapeutic approach, and use the accompanying webinar resources to support training, supervision, team development and reflective practice across the agency whilst supporting applicants throught the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA).
Can the qualfiication be used within support groups or training sessions relating to the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment and Induction process?
Absolutely. The programme has been designed to complement your agency's existing support and development offer. Agencies are encouraged to use the learning to stimulate discussion within supervision, support groups and workshops for prospective foster parents going through assessment.
Can we monitor Foster Parents' progress?
Yes. We provide agencies with a fortnightly learner progress report, enabling you to monitor enrolments, track course completion, and identify foster parents who may require additional support or encouragement. These reports help agencies evidence engagement with the programme and support ongoing workforce development.
Yes. Learners receive a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the programme, providing evidence of their professional development. Is a certificate provided?
Does the qualification replace face-to-face training?
No. The Therapeutic Fostering Programme is designed to complement, not replace, your agency's existing training and supervision.
Foster Parents complete the programme independently at their own pace, while the organisational copy enables supervising social workers and assessors to use the course content in group training sessions.
Webinar recordings and learning materials can be incorporated into workshops, followed by reflective discussions and practical activities. This provides agencies with ready-made, high-quality training resources, reducing the time and preparation required to develop and deliver therapeutic fostering sessions while ensuring consistent learning across the organisation.
Can new modules or resources be added?
Where programme updates or additional resources are released as part of your licence, these will be made available within the learning platform, ensuring your carers continue to benefit from the latest content.
How does the programme support completion of the TSD Standards or AWIF?
The Therapeutic Fostering Programme has been carefully mapped against the relevant Training, Support and Development (TSD) Standards and the All Wales Induction Framework (AWIF). As carers complete the qualification, they are simultaneously working towards the knowledge requirements of these frameworks.
On completion of the programme, your agency will receive a Microsoft Word version of the relevant TSD Standards or AWIF workbook, with the knowledgebased sections already pre-populated using evidence from the qualification. Supervising social workers then simply need to personalise the document by adding evidence that reflects the individual foster carer's own practice. This may include examples from their fostering experience, demonstrations of competence, reflective discussions, supervision records, daily logs, and any additional CPD undertaken. This significantly reduces the time required to complete the portfolio while ensuring it accurately reflects each carer's individual learning and practice.
Who do we contact if we need support?
If you require assistance with enrolments, learner access, reporting or any aspect of the qualification, our team is available to support your agency and ensure you get the most from your licence. You can contact us through the messaging services on the learning platform, or at info@coect.co.uk
TRAUMA-INFORMED PANEL TRAINING
Duration
4-6 hours, depending on the individual, via an online learning platform.
Who is the Trauma-Informed Panel Training for?
Designed for all panel members, this training supports a trauma-informed approach to fostering approvals, enabling more informed decision-making, and helping identify applicants best suited to become trauma-informed foster parents
Course Content
The programme includes the following topics:
Understand why panels need to be trauma-informed
Gain knowledge of Developmental trauma and the impact of trauma on the child.
Develop an understanding of therapeutic parenting and why some children need it.
Gain knowledge of the link between Memory Trauma and false allegations
Recognise the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue in foster parents.
Gain knowledge in preparation for the role of a Trauma-informed Fostering Panel member
Please note: The course is delivered online through a learning platform; therefore, applicants must be ICT-literate.
Certification
Once completed, you will receive a certificate from Inspire, which has been endorsed by The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma C I C
Training Costs
This training is included in TFA license in Organisational Access
What our Learners say...
Having served as a panel member for a considerable period of time, the course has offered me a fresh insight into the preparation and transferable skills that are essential to become a therapeutic foster parent. Consequently, I now believe that my approach to the panel process has been enriched with a trauma-informed approach.
Find Out More
To discuss implementing the Therapeutic Fostering Assessment within your organisation, please contact:
Email: info@coect.co.uk
Telephone: 01453 519000
Website: www.coect.co.uk