Herefordshire’s looked after children are receiving a good fostering service with some outstanding features, according to an inspection report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
The Council’s fourth annual inspection of the fostering service took place in January 2007.
Three inspectors visited foster carers and birth parents, held meetings with the fostering team, observed the fostering panel which is responsible for approving and reviewing all foster carers, and looked at completed questionnaires from fostered children.
The report concluded that the service provided is good across the board, and excellent in some areas. In particular national standards are being exceeded in relation to educational attainment as 92 per cent of the county’s looked after children managed to achieve success at GCSE level, compared to 53 per cent nationally.
In addition, the report said the service excelled in its children’s participation programme including children in the development and planning of services, listening to them and creating groups to enable them to express their views and opinions.
The Council was also praised for providing good contact with family members where appropriate and commended for the way it supports foster carers.
Shaun McLurg, head of safeguarding and assessment, said: “Staff have worked extremely hard to make sure the county’s looked after children receive the best service possible.
“Herefordshire’s fostering inspection reports have demonstrated continuing improvements each year which shows the commitment the council has to giving its looked after children the best possible start in life.
“It’s encouraging to see that we are doing so many things well and particularly that we have made improvements in recruiting and retaining suitably qualified staff which was an issue raised in last year’s report.”