At Lighthouse Fostering, we believe that confidence is key to great foster care.# First Aid Training in Kent & East Sussex
At Lighthouse Fostering, we believe that confidence is key to great foster care. Providing a safe and nurturing home is paramount, and a huge part of that safety is being prepared for the unexpected. That is why we are so pleased to highlight a recent, essential training session that our foster carers across Kent and East Sussex have completed: Paediatric First Aid.
We are committed to providing outstanding training that equips our carers with practical, life-saving skills. Led by one of our amazing trainers, Liz Taylor, these hands-on sessions were designed to empower our carers with the knowledge and confidence to handle medical emergencies effectively. This commitment to high-quality first aid training is a cornerstone of our foster carer support programme.
The Importance of Practical, Hands-On Training
When a child is in your care, their safety is your number one priority. While we all hope we will never need to use first aid, being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency. For foster carers, this preparation is not just beneficial; it is essential. Children, by their very nature, are prone to bumps, scrapes, and occasional accidents. Knowing how to respond calmly and correctly in those crucial first moments can prevent a minor incident from becoming a major one.
Our recent Paediatric First Aid Training sessions, held locally for our carers fostering in Kent and East Sussex, were far more than just a box-ticking exercise. Liz Taylor delivered an engaging and practical course that focused on real-world scenarios. Carers had the opportunity to practise techniques, ask questions, and build muscle memory for procedures like CPR and the recovery position. This hands-on approach is vital because it moves knowledge from theory into practice, ensuring carers feel truly prepared, not just informed.
What Did the First Aid Training Cover?
The training was specifically tailored to situations involving children and young people, from infants to teenagers. This specialised focus is crucial, as first aid procedures can differ significantly depending on the age and size of the child.
Our foster carers were equipped with the skills to handle a wide range of situations, including:
- Responding to an Unconscious Child: Learning how to assess the situation and place a child in the recovery position.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Practising the correct techniques for infants and children.
- Choking: Understanding how to help a child who is choking.
- Managing Wounds and Bleeding: Learning about bandaging and applying pressure to control bleeding.
- Dealing with Burns and Scalds: Knowing the immediate steps to take to treat a burn.
- Recognising Serious Illnesses: Gaining awareness of the signs of conditions like meningitis and sepsis.
- Handling Allergic Reactions: Understanding how to respond to anaphylaxis.
By covering these critical topics, the training ensures our carers are ready to act decisively in a variety of potential emergencies. This not only protects the child but also provides immense peace of mind for the carer.
Our Commitment to Outstanding Foster Carer Support
At Lighthouse Fostering, we see training as a fundamental part of our support package. We do not just expect our carers to be brilliant; we give them the tools to be brilliant. Mandatory courses like Paediatric First Aid are a key part of our promise to ensure every carer feels fully supported and prepared for their role.
We understand that our carers are the primary agents of change in a child's life. To do this life-changing work, they need to feel secure in their own abilities. By investing in regular, high-quality training, we are investing in the safety and well-being of the children in our care. It sends a clear message to our carers: we value your development, and we are here to equip you for every eventuality.
This commitment extends beyond first aid. Our comprehensive training calendar covers a wide range of topics, from therapeutic parenting techniques and managing challenging behaviour to understanding the educational needs of children in care. We believe that a well-supported, well-trained foster carer is an empowered one.
A Word from Our Trainer, Liz Taylor
Having an experienced and engaging trainer makes all the difference. Liz Taylor is fantastic at creating a comfortable and interactive learning environment. She understands the specific context of fostering and tailors her delivery to be relevant and reassuring. Her sessions are consistently praised by our carers for being informative, practical, and confidence-boosting. We are incredibly grateful to have trainers like Liz as part of our extended Lighthouse Fostering family.
Building a Confident Fostering Community
The recent first aid sessions were also a wonderful opportunity for our carers fostering in Kent and East Sussex to connect. Training days provide a space for our fostering community to come together, share experiences, and learn alongside one another. Building these peer support networks is invaluable, creating a community of carers who can rely on each other for advice and encouragement.
We are so proud of all our carers who completed this vital training. Your dedication to learning and development is a testament to your commitment to providing the safest and most supportive homes for children. Thank you for investing your time and for your unwavering dedication.