Care Commission rates Highland Fostering and Adoption Services as excellent

20th May 2010

A report published by the Care Commission on their inspections of The Highland Council's Fostering and Adoption Services has rated the service as "excellent" on all quality indicators.

Members of the Council's Housing and Social Work committee welcomed the findings of the report and commended carers, staff and managers for their work.

The Care Commission report relates to an annual inspection that took place during August / September 2009.

Commenting on the Council's fostering service the reported stated that:

* "Highland Council's Fostering Service provides an outstanding service. The level of support to foster carers is excellent.
* "Staff receive an excellent level of support from the management team."
* "The Fostering Service welcomes and encourages the views of foster carers, looked after children, parents and other stakeholders. Views are used to inform the service provision."
* "The Fostering Service at Highland Council continues to look for ways which can improve the service provision."
* "The administration staff within the Fostering Service provide an excellent level of support to staff and the Fostering Panel." and
* "Innovative ways to recruit Foster Carers were used."

The Commission's report on the Council's Adoption Service noted that "�the Adoption Service provides an excellent service to the children, young people and to the adopters it supports; that staff receive a high level of support from the management team, and encourages feedback and suggestions, encouraging them to participate in the development of the service."

No recommendations or requirements were made of the Council's Fostering and Adoption Services.

Welcoming the outcomes of the Care Commission report Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chair of The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee said: "I commend everyone involved in the fostering and adoption services for all their hard work and dedication. It's hard to improve on straight 6 scores of excellent across the board but we shall not be complacent. This excellent report means that we are now well placed to deal with drug and alcohol abusive parents by providing supportive fostering and adoption for this vulnerable group of families throughout the Highlands."