A recent Ofsted report says that services for children in care in Reading are improving and there are clear plans to make further progress.

Inspectors visited children in care in Reading during September and found most were living in stable homes.

The Ofsted report also said most children enter care in a timely way and are prepared and matched carefully with carers, enabling them to feel stable and secure and to make progress.

Two inspectors looked at Brighter Futures for Children’s arrangements for children in care during the visit.

The report said: “Most children experience positive and stable relationships with their social workers, who are aspirational for them.

"Social workers know their children well and have insight into how best to build relationships with each of the children they support.”

The report goes on to say that decisions for children to come into care, or to return home, are made thoughtfully.

Inspectors said the needs of disabled children in care are well known and that they live in homes that meet their needs well.

The report also says children’s personal education needs are regularly considered and reviewed by the Virtual School and they are encouraged to take part in a wide variety of activities.

The inspectors also highlighted areas for improvement.

These included the quality and impact of management oversight and supervision, the quality and impact of audit processes to improve social work practice and the impact of the corporate parenting panel on driving progress for children.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “I was very pleased to read so many positive comments in the inspector’s report about the services we provide for Reading’s children in care.

“I was particularly impressed with the praise for our hard-working and committed social workers who inspectors said are aspirational for the children they support and develop positive relationships with them.

Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “Many children in care will have experienced trauma and need to feel loved, cared for and safe.

“It is one of the most important responsibilities of a local authority to care for these vulnerable children and young people.

“It is heartening that the overall findings of the Ofsted inspectors were that most children in care in Reading are well looked after in stable homes, experience positive relationships with their social workers and are well supported in education and personal development.”