FtSE Member News: PACT's growing fostering service receives 'good' Ofsted rating

FOSTERING services run by charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) have been rated as 'good' following a recent Ofsted inspection. The report praised PACT's strong leadership and management which is driving the strategic growth of the service.

The Ofsted inspection recognised the innovative approach which PACT takes to long term fostering including its innovative Dual Approval scheme (fostering with a view to adoption) and highlighted the therapeutic support services – FACTS - on offer to PACT foster families.

Ofsted also found good examples of PACT’s safeguarding procedures and outlined the comprehensive programme of training undertaken by all PACT foster carers. 

The inspector found: “PACT has a lengthy and extensive experience as a voluntary adoption agency and the fostering element of PACT is able to draw upon the material and therapeutic resources of its adoption service in the support of fostered children.

“The strength of this agency has been in its ability to recruit, prepare and support foster carers who will give a permanent, long term placement to children, with the possibility of them going on to adopt the children placed.”

The report also stated: “Children benefit from being placed with carers who are well trained and prepared for the fostering task and who are focused on the needs of children and young people.”

PACT’s  fostering service was found to have a good balance of carers including those from ethnic minorities and a focus on helping its children to have good outcomes such as enjoying life and gaining a sense of achievement. Examples at the Ofsted inspection included children being part of clubs, going on holiday and improving in self-confidence. 

PACT’s Chief Executive, Jan Fishwick said: “I am delighted to announce that we hold a ‘good’ Ofsted rating for PACT’s developing fostering service.

“This is testament to the professionalism of our team and our foster carers who are working extremely hard to grow the service so that we can help more children in need of loving and supportive families.

“This independent assessment recognises that PACT offers a quality fostering service. Fostering is a hugely rewarding experience for carers and families who are able to open their homes to children who are going through difficult times. I urge anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch.”

PACT’s next fostering information events are taking place on 5th February, 3 – 7pm, drop in at PACT’s Children Centre in Didcot; 18th February 6.30 – 8pm at Brixton Recreation centre; and 9thMarch 1 – 5pm, drop in at PACT’s office, 9 South Street, Reading. For more details about fostering with PACT visit pactcharity.org/fostering.

PACT is a fostering and adoption charity that also runs children’s centres and community projects across the Thames Valley.

Source: www.pactcharity.org/news/124

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