Alpha Plus Fostering rated ‘outstanding' by Ofsted - and demonstrates great education results

Alpha Plus Fostering, based at Oldham, Greater Manchester, has again received a glowing report, from Ofsted, with inspectors judging its overall effectiveness as‘Outstanding'.

Alpha Plus Fostering, which works with local authorities across the North West, provides secure and safe placements for many of the region's most vulnerable children and young people through their experienced and dedicated Foster Carers.

In their report, the Ofsted inspectors said Alpha Plus ‘is an outstanding fostering agency which is managed very well'.

In particular Ofsted praised the Registered Manager, Christine Clynch, who they said ‘leads by example and works hard to ensure that children, young people and carers have the highest quality service possible'.

The report also stated that the direct work the agency undertakes with young people was of the highest quality underpinning the care they are given by their foster carers and helping them to make excellent progress in all areas of their lives.

The report says ‘Young people and carers are carefully matched. As a result placement stability is very good and there is a low number of placement breakdowns. Consequently young people enjoy settled placements which helps them to make excellent progress'.

This has been further borne out with recent exam results. Of ten young people who took their GCSEs, six achieved 22 Grades A* to C. Four students achieved 14 D to G grades and three achieved five vocational passes.

Two young people have secured places at university - an outstanding achievement as statistics reveal only 0.7 per cent of looked after children go to university.

Christine Clynch said: "As the Registered Manager, I am immensely proud of this achievement as this demonstrates the excellent work that all the staff and carers do and the continuing commitment in providing amazing foster placements for all the children and young people that are entrusted into our care.

With a place as a ‘Tier One' provider on the North West Foster Care Framework agreement comprising of 21 North West Local Authorities, Alpha Plus is regularly the ‘Agency of Choice' for those considering a career in fostering. The training and support given by the Agency is tailored to the needs of each household to ensure they have the professional skills and confidence that is the hallmark of an Alpha carer."

Christine added: "We take great pride in our skills in matching the right family to the right child or young person and also in the recruitment of our foster carers in both those who are embarking on a foster career or those wishing to transfer to an ‘outstanding' agency' with a Tier One position."

Iain Anderson, Group Chief Executive of the National Fostering Agency Group and CEO of Alpha Plus Fostering, said: "This is an excellent report from Ofsted and it is very heartening to know that their inspectors hold the agency in such high regard. We have always considered that Alpha Plus Fostering provides a first class service for children and young people and carers. Ofsted have confirmed that.

I would like to congratulate the entire team at Alpha Plus for their hard work and dedication. Reports like this do not happen by chance and they should be justifiably proud of what they have achieved and continue to achieve day in and day out for children and young people."

ENDS

Note to editors:

National Fostering Agency Group:

• NFA Group, established since 1996, provides professional fostering services to Local Authorities throughout the United Kingdom to make a real difference to the quality of life to those vulnerable children and young people it supports.

• This will be the third consecutive inspection where Alpha Plus has received a rating of ‘Outstanding'

• Alpha Plus works with the following local authorities: Blackburn with Darwen Council; Blackpool Council; Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council; Bury Metropolitan Borough Council; Cheshire East Council; Cheshire West and Chester Council; Halton Borough Council; Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Liverpool City Council; Manchester City Council; Lancashire County Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council; Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council; Salford City Council; Sefton Council; St Helens Council; Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council; Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council; Trafford Council; Warrington Borough Council; Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council; Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.

•  www.alphaplusfostering.co.uk

• www.nfa.co.uk

For further information:                

Alan Rustad
AR Communications,Tel: 0844 585 5959/07976 722726
alan@ar-comms.com

Andrew Isaac, Group Marketing & Communications Director
National Fostering Agency Group
Tel: 01895 200300
aisaac@nfa.co.uk