Fostering service is the tops

OLDHAM Council’s Fostering Service is celebrating after being given top marks yet again.

Ofsted, the national fostering service watchdog, rated the borough’s provision as “outstanding” — the highest possible rating — following an independent inspection in August.

It’s the second time the service has scooped top marks, retaining the rating from a previous inspection in March, 2008.

The service was graded “outstanding” in all key areas.

The report summary states that the fostering team provided services of “exceptionally high quality” and praised its work in promoting children’s health, and keeping children safe.

Its work was also noted as providing “extremely good” help and support with education and involvement in community activities and for providing foster carers with outstanding support and management, plus comprehensive record-keeping.

Overall, Oldham Council’s fostering service is described as “an extremely well-managed service, which provides very good support to its carers and is providing good outcomes for children.”

The service currently has 129 fostering families providing placements for around 250 children.

It provides emergency and short-term placements, long-term placements plus short breaks for children and young people with special needs and disabilities.

Councillor Jack Hulme, cabinet member for children and families, said: “The provision of fostering services is a key role for Oldham Council in the local community and we take these responsibilities very seriously.

“The previous inspection in March, 2008, had made three recommendations for improvements to be made and Ofsted has now found that the service has addressed these in full.

“The team are rightly proud of this result.”

If you have the time and energy to care for a child, call 0161-770 6600 or email fostering@oldham.gov.uk or visit www.oldham.gov.uk/fostering.