Abstract: Submission #108

Abstract Pre-service training is mandatory in foster care services to ensure that the purpose of foster care is achieved. The aim of this scoping review was to establish what the existing guidelines are for pre-service training of prospective foster parents. The six steps of Arksey and O'Malley's framework were used. Thirteen databases were searched; of the 19 studies that met the sampling criteria, six were included in this scoping review. The sample criteria were English, full text, peer reviewed, open access studies conducted between 2017 and 2021 on guidelines for pre-service training of prospective foster parents. Data was analysed thematically. This study revealed that three pre-service training programmes are widely used in the USA, mostly delivered through in-person individual sessions, in-person group sessions or online, or a combination of all three, and all in-person sessions involved roleplays. There is a dearth of peer-reviewed research on pre-service training, which is mainly found in published dissertations and theses or unpublished reports. Therefore, further research is needed on this topic. The study contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by addressing the quality and preparedness of foster prospective foster parents, which is essential for the well-being and protection of vulnerable children. Ensuring that foster parents receive appropriate pre-service training strengthens foster care system and safeguards children's rights