Help & Support
FAQs
WHAT IS FIRST STEPS?
First Steps provides free online learning, case studies and exercises for people in England considering adoption, fostering or both.
For wider information about adoption and fostering, please visit Coram.
IS FIRST STEPS FREE?
Yes. Registration with First Steps is completely free.
WHO CAN USE FIRST STEPS?
First Steps is for people in England considering adoption, fostering or both, including people researching their options and people preparing for formal training.
DO I NEED TO REGISTER?
You can preview the first modules without registering, but a free account lets you save progress, use quizzes and continue through the full course.
CAN I SAVE MY PROGRESS?
Yes. Registered users can save progress, track quiz scores and return to lessons later.
CAN I USE BOTH COURSES?
Yes. One account can provide access to both Adoption and Fostering, with progress recorded separately for each course.
HOW LONG DOES THE COURSE TAKE?
You can work through First Steps in your own time on desktop, tablet or mobile.
WHAT CAN FIRST STEPS DO FOR ME?
Registered users have access to in-depth course material contributed by experienced professionals, including case studies, exercises and audio episodes.
Users work through at their own pace, tracking their scores as they progress through the material, increasing their knowledge and understanding as they go.
Access to First Steps is free and you can spend as long as you need with the materials provided, in preparation for formal adoption or fostering training.
WHY DO I HAVE TO REGISTER TO USE FIRST STEPS?
With a user account First Steps allows everyone to track their progress and their scores in the exercises they have completed.
Additionally, some of the later exercises cover subjects that are incredibly important, but can be emotionally challenging without suitable introduction. Having a user account allows First Steps to follow your progress and only unlock these modules for you only when you have reached the appropriate point.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO REGISTER?
Registration with First Steps is completely free.
WHY CAN'T I ACCESS ALL OF THE EXERCISES?
Many of the exercises are available for you to access right away, however some of the later exercises cover subjects that are incredibly important, but can be emotionally challenging without suitable introduction. First Steps follows your progress as you complete unlocked exercises and will only unlock these advanced modules for you only when you have reached the appropriate point.
WHAT ARE THE TIMES SHOWN ON THE EXERCISES?
These times are indicative and only shown as a guide. They are simply to help you to plan your time on the website; whether you have half an hour, a quick 5 minutes, or as long as you like. Lessons are to be used as reflective learning, not rushed through.
WHAT PERCENTAGE DO I NEED TO PASS?
You can’t ‘fail’ First Steps. There is no definitive right and wrong answer when dealing with such subjective issues. Completing First Steps means that you have engaged with the content and increased your understanding as you prepare to adopt or foster.
CAN THE ADMIN VIEW MY EXERCISE NOTES?
Yes. The space is there for you to be able to record your thoughts responding to each Exercise, the Admins for the site will be able to see these so make sure not to record things that are too personal. NB: We have made it simple to aggregate these notes so that you can print them out in preparation for your first Group Session.
SHOULD MY PARTNER AND I COMPLETE FIRST STEPS SEPARATELY?
This is completely up to you, but it may be good for you to complete it together so that you can discuss and face complications as a unit. NB: If you decide to complete it separately there is a favourite flag in the top right of all exercise pages so that you can mark things as favourite for your partners attention.
WHY CAN'T I ACCESS SOME LESSONS?
Some of the exercises have been progression locked because they rely on your understanding the exercise before. To take these locked lessons all you need to do is complete the exercise before.
EMAIL PROBLEMS?
You may be experiencing delays in receiving your password reset emails, or worse, not receiving them at all. Here are a few steps to help you to help yourself and if all else fails how you can contact us to get you access and back on track.