West Midlands fostering agency “significantly improves outcomes” according to ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report

WEST MIDLANDS / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 07, 2023 / A West Midlands-based fostering agency is celebrating after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ judgement following an official inspection from Ofsted.

Supporting children and young people across the West Midlands, the latest result is a huge achievement for FCA Midlands which achieved ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.

The Ofsted report commended the agency on understanding how to support positive experiences and progression for children and young people, taking into account how well children and young people are helped and protected, as well the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

The fostering agency, FCA Midlands, was commended for its “highly effective services and consistently exceeding the standards of good.” and for its contribution to significantly improving outcomes and positive experiences for the individuals under its care.

The Ofsted report read: “Warm, welcoming and knowledgeable managers recruit, assess, prepare and train foster parents effectively. This means that carers are well equipped to parent children and to provide children with stable and nurturing homes.

“The support provided to foster parents and children is available through a wide range of initiatives and interventions that overlap seamlessly in practice and an ethos of and commitment to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and participation, including responding to children’s and foster parents’ voices, runs 

throughout practice.”

Ofsted continued: “The breadth and effectiveness of the agency’s work are directly attributable to the quality of leadership and management of the service and the highly committed staff team.  

“Leaders and managers are innovative and inspirational. Effective monitoring means that there is a constant focus on the development of the service, staff well-being, support to foster families and quality of care and outcomes for the children.”

Kate Taylor, registered manager at FCA Midlands, said: “I'm extremely proud of the incredible work FCA Midlands is doing to support our children and fostering families. 

“I’m delighted with our Outstanding outcome and that Ofsted acknowledges children in our care "make significant progress and flourish.”

At the time of the inspection, there were 181 children living in 126 fostering households in this area.

Alison Mear, foster parent with FCA Midlands, said: “There is always a bit of apprehension when approached by Ofsted, but I found it a welcoming and encouraging experience. It gave us an opportunity to share the fantastic work FCA has done to keep our children and young people safe and happy.

“I feel proud that we could share our activities, how children’s confidence has grown and the support within our family and community.” 

There are currently more than 80,000 children in care throughout the year, and that number is growing. 

It is estimated that an additional 3000 foster carers will need to be recruited year on year, for the next three years to accommodate the influx of children coming into care. 

To enquire about becoming a foster parent with FCA, or if you would like more information you can contact the team here: https://www.thefca.co.uk/enquiry/ or call 0800 023 4561.

ENDS

Foster Care Associates | https://www.thefca.co.uk/regions/west-midlands/

Established for more almost 30 years, Foster Care Associates is one of the UK’s largest fostering agencies with branches nationwide. 

Since its inception in 1994, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence and is hoping that more foster parents will join its ever-growing team in 2023. 

The agency provides wrap-around support for foster parents, and a committed team of professionals for the children and young people that they support.

To find out more about the company or this release, please contact Faye Tomkotowicz at faye@conteur.co.uk