A REPORT has praised fostering services in Herefordshire.

An inspection by Ofsted has commended Herefordshire Council for providing a good service with some outstanding features.

The inspector, Suzanne Young, praised its team's work in encouraging children and young people to share their views on the service.

Ms Young praised the improvements made this year, particularly those that ensured children and young people were looked after in a safe environment.

The fostering service had created a health passport for each youngster to share with future carers, which, the inspector noted, ensured health needs were accurately identified and understood by everybody involved.

Positive contact with birth families was also praised, as was the Voices project – a service dedicated to ensuring young people’s views were heard.

Helping children make a positive contribution was judged to be outstanding and the report also found that children in Herefordshire were: Protected from harm or neglect and helped to stay safe.

Receiving well organised services, achieving well and enjoying what they do.

Receiving excellent support to maximise their potential in education.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We are proud of the service we provide for our young people and are delighted to have received so many positive comments in the inspection report.

“We will continue working with our children and young people to improve the quality and standards of care even further and to make sure the services they receive give them the best possible start in life.

“Well done to the fostering team and the young people themselves who have played such an instrumental role in shaping the services they enjoy.” The council operates both adoption and fostering services which are inspected separately by Ofsted.