modus has a comprehensive training plan for foster carers and for staff at Cross Lee House which incorporates six mandatory courses which must be completed by all foster carers and Cross Lee House staff on an annual basis. The new National Minimum Standards dictate that Foster Carers and Residential Workers alike are liable to be de-registered, should they not be able to evidence 5 days of relevant training undertaken every year.

In addition to the mandatory training, we offer staff and foster carers an individually tailored training programme which includes such subjects as working with traumatised children and young people, preparing for independence, contact with birth families and many others.

Training courses are located at Head Office and run from 10.00am – 2.30pm.

In 2008, modus has been chosen to pilot a new City and Guilds qualification: Safeguarding Children Award. This is a new and exciting opportunity for foster carers and residential workers to become some of the first candidates in Britain to attain this qualification. The Safeguarding Children Award is of a level three NVQ standard but is a short course of just three modules. The method of assessment is through completion of assignments rather than through gathering evidence from practice and is therefore a more traditional method of assessment. It comprises:

• Attendance at three Safeguarding Children training days
• Attendance at three Assignment Planning days
• A total of three assignments to be completed
• Attendance at three individual assignment feedback sessions (1hr each).