A BROMSGROVE based fostering agency is celebrating after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ judgement in all areas following an official Ofsted inspection.
The Ofsted report commended FCA Midlands on understanding how to support positive experiences and progression for children and young people, taking into account how well they are helped and protected, as well the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
Ofsted’s report praised the agency for ‘highly effective services’ which ‘consistently exceeded the standards of good’.
Kate Taylor, registered manager at FCA Midlands, said: “I’m extremely proud of the incredible work FCA Midlands is doing to support our children and fostering families.
“I’m delighted with our Outstanding outcome and that Ofsted acknowledges children in our care “make significant progress and flourish.”
At the time of the inspection, there were 181 children living in 126 fostering households in this area.
Ofsted’s report also commended the agency for having ‘warm, welcoming and knowledgeable managers’ who ‘recruit, assess, prepare and train’ foster parents effectively.
The report read: “The support provided to foster parents and children is available through a wide range of initiatives and interventions that overlap seamlessly in practice and an ethos of and commitment to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and participation, including responding to children’s and foster parents’ voices, runs throughout practice.”
Ofsted continued: “The breadth and effectiveness of the agency’s work are directly attributable to the quality of leadership and management of the service and the highly committed staff team.
“Leaders and managers are innovative and inspirational. Effective monitoring means that there is a constant focus on the development of the service, staff well-being, support to foster families and quality of care and outcomes for the children.”
There are currently more than 80,000 children in care throughout the year, and that number is growing.
It is estimated that an additional 3000 foster carers will need to be recruited year on year, for the next three years to accommodate the influx of children coming into care.
Alison Mear, foster parent with FCA Midlands, said: “There is always a bit of apprehension when approached by Ofsted, but I found it a welcoming and encouraging experience.
“It gave us an opportunity to share the fantastic work FCA has done to keep our children and young people safe and happy.”
Visit https://www.thefca.co.uk/enquiry/ or call 0800 023 4561 to enquire about becoming a foster parent with FCA.
