Finding the right fostering agency for you will be crucial to ensure that you have all of the training and support that you need to do a good job when fostering children. But with so many different independent fostering agencies spread across the UK, how are you meant to know which one is the best for you and your fostering journey?
Fostering People has been rated as outstanding by Ofsted since 2013, so you know you’re in safe hands with us. But don’t just take our word for it – we’re going to explore what Ofsted have said about Fostering People, who Ofsted are, and why they’re important for foster parents.
What is Ofsted?
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, and they’re responsible for inspecting services that provide education in England. While they’re known for inspecting schools regularly, it’s also their responsibility to inspect independent adoption and fostering services across England.
This is to ensure that these independent services are providing the care and support needed for the young people in their care. The Ofsted judgement structure is typically measured on a four-point scale:
- Outstanding.
- Good.
- Requires improvement to be good.
- Inadequate.
Ofsted regularly inspects independent fostering agencies such as Fostering People, and then compiles their findings into a report. They are an independent organisation that is evidence-led and who put children and learners first.
Why does Ofsted matter to foster parents?
The work that Ofsted does is crucial for foster parents as it gives them an independent assessment of the education and quality of care provided by an independent fostering agency. You can rest assured that if Ofsted have rated a fostering agency as outstanding, then the welfare of children placed in your care by that agency is their number one priority.
As we’ve briefly touched on above, if an independent fostering agency has been rated as outstanding, then that means the services that they provide to their foster parents are excellent. You’ll have all of the support that you need, when you need it, regardless of the different types of fostering that an agency offers.
The reports that Ofsted complete about each fostering agency, including Fostering People, can be found online, allowing foster parents to understand the standards of care provided to children being placed within their guardianship.
How Ofsted inspects fostering services
Ofsted typically inspects independent fostering agencies at least once every three years, but the timing of inspections can vary depending on previous inspection results, any complaints or concerns that might have been raised about an agency, as well as other factors.
There are National Minimum Standards for fostering that Ofsted measures each fostering agency against to ensure that children, their welfare, and development are put at the heart of what a fostering agency does. These standards are intended to be used both by Ofsted as well as independent fostering agencies such as Fostering People to secure positive education, welfare, and health outcomes for children in care.
Ofsted focuses on the things that matter most to children’s lives, and examines how well fostering agencies achieve greater stability for children. They also measure the quality of the support that adults are given so that they can do an excellent job when caring for any children placed with them.
When Ofsted carries out inspections, each factor they consider is measured against the requirements of a fostering agency to be rated as ‘good’.
What did Ofsted say about Fostering People?
So what did the Ofsted report have to say about Fostering People? And just what exactly makes Fostering People outstanding according to Ofsted? We are proud of the work we do with our foster parents and give them all the tools and support that they need to change the lives of children for the better, which was reflected in the feedback from the Ofsted report.
We last had a full inspection in 2023, which rated Fostering People as outstanding, which you can read for yourself on the Ofsted website. We were rated as outstanding for:
- The overall experiences and progress of children and young people
- How well children and young people are helped and protected
- The effectiveness of leaders and managers
Fostering People provides different types of fostering, including short-term, long-term, parent and child, remand, emergency, services for disabled children, placements for children moving from residential care to foster care, and the Ofsted report notes that we are one of only three fostering agencies across the UK to successfully employ placements within a Mockingbird constellation structure.
The Ofsted report notes that children are able to build positive, trusting relationships with their foster parents and are given consistent care that promotes their welfare. The report on Fostering People says that foster parents were skilled and knowledgeable, able to support children through tough times and come through the other side with stronger relationships.
An outstanding service for foster parents and children
Ofsted’s report on Fostering People says: ‘Foster parents are knowledgeable, compassionate, highly motivated and absolutely dedicated to the children they care for. We have spoken with and heard about foster parents who go above and beyond to ensure they know and meet children’s needs and that children feel safe. Children can be children again.’
It was also documented that children were able to find a sense of belonging with their foster parents and became a part of the extended family even after they had left care after 18 years of age.
The support that we offer to our foster parents, from the matching process to beyond, is also included in Ofsted’s report:
‘The ongoing support provided for foster parents ensures that each placement match is given the best possible chance to succeed. Careful matching and consistent support mean that placements are successful overall. There are a relatively low number of unplanned endings, given the size of the service. In many instances, foster parents have said that they have been able to continue to care for children in the most difficult circumstances due to the amazing support they receive from the agency.’
We are proud of the support and training that we offer our foster parents throughout their fostering journey, which is also reflected in the report:
‘Leaders and managers have developed a range of excellent resources that are shared with prospective and approved foster parents. They keep abreast of research in practice and government guidance, which is used in learning and development events with staff and foster parents.’
Want to know more about fostering?
Are you curious about starting your fostering journey with an outstanding independent fostering agency like Fostering People? We’re more than happy to answer any questions you have to get you started.
Simply fill out our enquiry form or give us a call on 0800 077 8159 to speak to a friendly member of the team who can talk you through the fostering process.
Fostering is such an emotionally rewarding vocation and will play an important role in the lives of young people in need. Get in touch with Fostering People today to start your journey.
