Lancashire's foster service is ‘back on track’

12:53pm Tuesday 14th October 2008

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LANCASHIRE’S under-fire fostering service has finally taken a turn for the better in the eyes of inspectors.

The service has improved from “inadequate” to “satisfactory” after it was rexamined by a watchdog.

Last month an Ofsted report found the county council’s service to be “in breach of regulations”, with youngsters placed with carers who had not been formally approved and overcrowding in some foster homes.

As revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph, two senior officers left their posts ahead of the publication of the Joint Area Review, which criticised the lack of progress since a previous critical assessment.

Its findings triggered a follow up Ofsted inspection at the end of September as the council was subjected to closer scrutiny.

Now we can reveal the service has been found to be “satisfactory” on all counts ahead of the publication of the second report.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting council leader Hazel Harding said councillors had been unaware of the problems facing the service.

She said: “There were obvi-ously failings that needed to be dealt, but you can only work with the information you’ve got.”

Council bosses have now targeted an “excellent” rating within three years.

County Coun Jennifer Mein, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I want to thank everyone for putting right areas of the service which were found to be lacking.”