From left, foster carers Terry and Pat Jones and Elaine Price, Fostering Service Manager

Foster service is officially one of the best

"One of the best in the Midlands" - that's the verdict of Ofsted Inspectors who came to inspect Staffordshire County Council's Fostering Service.

The service received an 'Outstanding' judgement in its most recent Ofsted inspection, putting it amongst the top fostering services in the country.  An 'outstanding' mark at Ofsted means that the service provides an excellent standard of care and support for young people, continually strives for further improvement, and offers a varied and encourages and supports foster carers to meet children's needs, giving excellent support to those children who have diverse and challenging requirements. 

Inspectors praised the service for providing care directly relevant to children's needs, and giving children and carers every assistance to make important choices.  The inspection also made special mention of the way in which children are matched to their carers, and the way they are supported around contact issues with parents.

Many elements of the service were singled out as being outstanding, with the inspectors singling out the consultation with children and foster carers as being particularly noteworthy.  The inspection has also made recommendations for the service to improve still further, which will be taken forward in the coming year.

County Councillor Robert Simpson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:  "I am extremely pleased Staffordshire's Fostering Service has been recognised as one of the best in the Midlands.  Foster carers provide a valuable service, particularly to our most vulnerable children, and it is testament to their hard work and dedication to giving every child the care they deserve, that they have managed to achieve this fantastic accomplishment.

"I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone involved in the service, and hope they continue to be successful."

The outstanding Ofsted comes on the back of the service's pioneering scheme to recruit and train foster carers for children with the most challenging behaviour.  The new 'Level 5' programme will need foster carers that are able to offer care for children aged 10 upwards.

Anyone interested in fostering is encouraged to find out more by contacting the Fostering Team on 0800 169 2061.  Further information about special events that are being held throughout May can be found on the Fostering Service's dedicated website www.care4child.org.

 

Left to right: Rachel Rogers, Senior Family Support Worker; Terry Jones, Foster Carer, Pat Jones, Foster Carer, Elaine Price, Fostering Service Manager

Page Last Modified: 02/05/2008 14:54:58

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