This training manual is addressed to the structures for alternative care for children in foster families, social care structures in the municipality where the child resides, Need Assessment and Referral Unit in the municipality where the child resides, public and non-public service providers in the municipality where the child resides, non-profit organizations operating in various fields of alternative child care

This manual focuses on the topics of initial training and ongoing training for foster parents, before and during the time they are “in service” and aims to ensure that foster parents have the preparation and support to provide appropriate care for children.

The manual has been designed taking into account the 2010’ foster care standards as well as other sets of standards and materials related to foster care in countries where the foster care service is developed.

The manual focuses on the content of the sessions and suggests forms of communication with the physical presence of the trainer and trainees, considering that it is at the discretion of the profeesionals resposnsible for moniitoring an supervising the foster care service to adjust the neccessary form for the manual to be used online, communication and distribution of written materials, etc.

Public or non-public service providers wishing to conduct training or support sessions for biological families may consider parts of this Handbook as a reference for their projects.

An annex of the manual contains information on the available public and non public services which can be directly accessed by foster parents and children themselves.