STIRLING Council’s fostering and adoption services have received glowing reports from the Care Inspectorate.

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.

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.

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.

Inspectors stated: “Post adoption support had strengthened significantly since the last inspection with positive new developments and the recruitment of additional staff.”

Cllr Susan McGill, Convener of the Council’s Children and Young People Committee, 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.”

Vice Convener of the Committee, Cllr Christine Simpson added: “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.”