Next Stage for Fostering achieves ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating
This is the second time the North West independent fostering agency has been awarded the rating, cementing its position as a leading provider of foster care in the region.
‘In the current climate, where the fostering industry faces a significant lack of foster families for vulnerable young people, putting their lives first is more crucial than ever,’ Paul O’Rourke, managing director at Next Stage for Fostering, told Social Care Today. ‘That’s why we’re particularly proud to have achieved this ‘Outstanding’ rating and to have our ‘family feel’ recognised by Ofsted.’
Ofsted completed the inspection into the agency in July and noted that ‘the actions of the independent fostering agency contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.’
This achievement comes just three years after Next Stage’s previous ‘outstanding’ rating in September 2021. It can be described as an achievement because across England’s 370 independent fostering agencies, reports show that only circa 10% have received two or more consecutive ‘outstanding’ Ofsted judgements.
O’Rourke added: ‘This achievement isn’t just a testament to our past work, but a commitment to our future. Our entire team is looking forward to continuing to support our foster carers and the children in their care, ensuring we maintain the high standards that have earned us this rating.’
News of Next Stage’s rating comes during a major shortage of foster families in the UK, with the highest number on record of children in care. Earlier this year the Fostering Network called for urgent action to recruit and support foster carers as the UK saw more carers leaving their roles than signing up.
Registered manager at Next Stage for Fostering, Lynda Hardman, said: ‘It is extremely heartening to know that our efforts to support carers are having a positive impact. As a sector, we are seeing fewer families than ever sign up to foster, which will continue to have a detrimental impact not only on the children but on wider society for years to come. It is so important that we make the process of fostering as straightforward and supportive as possible, while still maintaining the utmost levels of safeguarding.’
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