News

The Borough of Poole’s Fostering Services have been praised by independent Government Inspectors.

In a report, presented to the Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 10 July, Inspectors highlighted eleven areas of good practice and commended the work of education staff, carers and social workers for helping deliver the third best GCSE results in the country for children ‘looked after’ by their local authority.

Inspectors concluded that "the service has many strengths" and "an impressive group of carers with a wide range of experience and expertise."

Cllr Jane James, Executive Spokesperson for Care, said: "I am proud of this report which identifies Poole Fostering Services as an example of good practice in many key areas. I want to thank our hard working foster carers and the team of social services staff who support them, for their tireless support and dedication to children who need our care."

Cllr Bob O'Mahoney, Chairman of the Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee, said: "We are always looking for more people to become foster carers. It is very encouraging that this report found that the vast majority of carers (89%) are satisfied with the authority’s support, advice and guidance, which is a reflection of how highly we value our foster carers. I appeal to anyone who would like to make a real difference to a child’s life to contact us to find out more about fostering."

In compiling their report, Inspectors looked at case files and conducted a range of interviews with employees, foster carers, Councillors and children of all ages in foster care. Areas of strength identified by the Inspectors included:

The Inspectors’ recommendations mostly related to "specific ways in which an already well-performing service could become even better." Recommendations included exploring ways to involve young people and carers more in their own case planning and overall service planning.

Inspectors considered the service’s prospects for improvement to be "excellent in terms of the Council’s strategy and commitment".

For more information about fostering in Poole, please contact Joyce Spiller on or Delia Amos on tel: 01202 261501. Alternatively email fostering@poole.gov.uk or visit the website at www.fostering.poole.gov.uk.

Government Inspectors came to Poole in February 2001 to carry out an independent inspection of Fostering Services as part of a national programme, which looked at six local authorities.

The inspection focused on seven main areas relating to the service for children ‘looked after’ by the Borough of Poole - the recruitment, assessment and support for foster carers, cost, efficiency, fair access and equality of support and the overall management and planning of the service.