According to Ofsted, the fostering team at East Sussex County Council provides services of exceptionally high quality and has been given the top 'outstanding' ranking.
The inspection, which took place over five days, included not only an assessment of the management, organisation and work of the Fostering Service but also included home visits to three foster carers and consultation with young people.
In each of the categories examined by the Ofsted inspector – including helping children to be healthy, protecting children from harm, helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do, helping children to make a positive contribution, and organisation – she found that the service was outstanding.
As with all inspections, Ofsted also highlighted areas where further improvements and developments could be made.
Councillor Meg Stroude, East Sussex County Council Lead Member for Children and Families: “I am delighted with these inspection findings and congratulate everyone involved in our Fostering Service for achieving this exceptional result. It’s thanks to the hard work, professionalism and dedication of everyone concerned that we have a fostering service that we can be proud of.
“But the most important point is that our Fostering Service is doing an outstanding job for children in our care and the foster carers who look after them. They deserve the best and we are determined to give them that.”
The East Sussex Fostering Service is part of the County Souncil’s Children’s Services department. It currently has 252 carers with 308 young people placed with them. The service is responsible for the recruitment, preparation, assessment, supervision and support of foster carers.
The full inspection report can be found on the Ofsted website.
Reference:
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