A Milton Keynes-based fostering agency is celebrating after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating following an official inspection from Ofsted.
Fosterplus, which supports young people in Milton Keynes, achieved ‘outstanding’ in all areas.
The Ofsted report commended the agency on the exceptional relationships that were built with foster parents and the children and young people that they support.
Fosterplus’ report read: “The children have wonderful relationships with the agency staff. Children feel listened to and very well supported, which helps to keep them safe.
“Children are accepted and loved as part of the family. When children reach 18, ‘staying put’ arrangements are naturally progressed and promoted. Children want to stay with their foster parents and to not be distinguished as different. This is a strength of this agency.”
Ofsted continued: “The level of individualised support and care to children is outstanding. As a result, the outcomes for children living with carers in this agency are excellent. The children are achieving their dreams and making exceptional progress”
Ofsted also commended the support given to foster parents describing support provided to parents and supported children as ‘exceptional.’ Angela Turland, registered manager at Fosterplus South, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to have gained Outstanding in all areas and something I'm immensely proud of the whole agency which has worked extremely hard to achieve this.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by our amazing foster parents and staff. When you foster a child or teenager, you really can transform someone’s life, and that is just a wonderful thing to be a part of every day.” Theresa, 60, and husband Clive have been fostering with Fosterplus for the last four years.
The couple has two grown-up, adopted children in their twenties, and currently foster an 11-year-old boy. The couple decided to foster as it felt like a natural continuation from adopting two children and a way for them to give back to their community.
Theresa said: “I feel absolutely jubilant about the latest Ofsted result, and am delighted to be part of such a hardworking team.
“I love working with children, it has always been my comfort zone and four years ago the time was right. I have learnt more doing this than anything else I have ever done, it has been an incredible journey and I can honestly say that we have done something that has really made a difference.”
It’s estimated that more than 100,000 children will be in care in the UK by 2025. There is a huge shortage of foster parents in the south of England and throughout the rest of the UK.
