Both teams were awarded a rating of ‘5’ (very good) for the two areas of their inspection – quality of care and support, and quality of management and leadership.
It comes as the Independent Care Review Scotland delivered its key finding that all children have the right to be loved and listened to, a message fully backed by the Council and enshrined in the work of the local authority’s Children’s Services.
The local authority’s fostering service recruits and supports carer families to provide a range of fostering placements. It also works closely with them to offer support, advice and training opportunities.
Well-managed and high-quality
The Care Inspectorate stated: “During this inspection we found that Stirling Council continues to provide a well-managed and high-quality fostering service for children and young people.
“We found that young people were being kept safe, healthy and nurtured and there was ample evidence of positive outcomes.
“Some young people were seen to be having contact with Stirling Council’s Champions Board which was ensuring their views were being sought and heard.”
The Council’s adoption agency recruits and supports adoptive parents to provide families for children and young people who cannot live with their birth parents or extended family members.
Very positive outcomes
Inspectors stated: “Post adoption support had strengthened significantly since the last inspection with positive new developments and the recruitment of additional staff.
“The skills and knowledge of new members of staff were appreciated within the team and it was evident that they brought further value to the overall service which was helping to improve outcomes for both adopters and children.
“In the cases we tracked, children had experienced very positive outcomes within their adoptive families.”
The Care Inspectorate, Scotland’s national regulator for care services, carried out their assessments at short notice in December 2019. In their previous inspection (May 2017), both teams also achieved a brace of ‘very good’ grades.
Fantastic reports
Convener of the Council’s Children and Young People Committee, Cllr Susan McGill said: “Huge congratulations to our fostering and adoption services on these two fantastic reports and for maintaining such high standards.
“Our dedicated staff, foster carers and adoptive families should be extremely proud of this recognition, which shows children and families within these service areas are continuing to receive high-quality care and support.”
Best start in life
Vice Convener of the Committee, Cllr Christine Simpson said: “It’s really pleasing to see the wide range of strengths identified by inspectors, along with the amount of positive feedback from foster carers and adopters.
“Through support measures, strong leadership and other means, both teams are ensuring children and young people are getting the opportunity to make the best start in life and fulfil their potential.”
To help the Care Review achieve its goals and deliver change for care experienced children and young people, the Council’s *Champions Board have been encouraging people to sign The Pinky Promise, including at their Care Day celebrations last week at the Mayfield Centre.
Members of the public can also make a pledge at the Care Review Website.
Picture details and background info
Pictured are (back, from left) Jane Gunn, Alison Turnbull and Ruth Beaumont - social workers from the Council’s Fostering and Adoption team; (front, from left) Cllr Susan McGill; Wendy McKitterick, Stirling Council Team Leader, Adoption and Fostering; Cllr Christine Simpson. Pictures should be credited to Stirling Council/Whyler Photos.
* The Champions Board is a forum of care experienced young people (aged 5-25), where their views and needs can be heard and understood. They use their direct experience to shape decisions and Council policy.