The week-long inspection showed the fostering agency provides comprehensive support and benefits for foster carers, who regularly ‘go above and beyond’ for the children in their care and are supported by ‘passionate and committed’ managers.
Following the review, which focused on how well children and young people are helped and protected and the effectiveness of leaders and managers, inspectors noted that foster carers felt well supported by their social workers and that professional working relationships were a key strength of the agency - meaning children were kept safe.
This follows the council’s children’s services, delivered by Achieving for Children, achieving a ‘good’ rating in November, that praised the ‘outstanding’ help for care leavers and the involvement of children and young people in the council decisions that affected them.
In a drive to provide a loving home for more children in care, the council is actively recruiting new foster carers and has recently boosted the package of financial, practical and emotional support that existing and new foster carers, who are registered with Achieving for Children, will receive from April 2025.
To retain experienced carers and support more people to recognise their potential to foster a child, those benefits include reimbursement of council tax, alongside a range of training and support, competitive weekly fostering fee and London rate child allowance.
Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, Cllr Amy Tisi said: “The outcome of this inspection reflects the hard work by the council and Achieving for Children to ensure that children in the borough, who cannot live with their birth families, are provided with the love and support they need to thrive.
“It is said that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and it is this partnership approach, and the strong leadership highlighted in this inspection that means our foster carers are supported to give the children who need it, the best possible care.
“I encourage anyone who has considered becoming a foster carer to learn more about the vital role you could play, and the benefits, support and training that we provide to you.”
For more information on becoming a foster carer, visit the Achieving for Children website