A FOSTERING agency that provides loving homes for children in care is celebrating an outstanding Ofsted.

Portslade-based Blue Sky Fostering agency has been highly rated by Government inspectors for the fourth consecutive time.

The privately owned agency, which has an office in George Street, Portslade, provides fostering placements for children in Brighton and Hove, with long-term and short-term placements.

The firm’s boss said it was all down to the dedication of staff and fostering families.

Brighton area manager Fiona Hutchinson said: “We are delighted to be part of the wider Blue Sky team, but here in Portslade the result validates everyone’s hard work and commitment to children in the Brighton and wider Sussex area.

“We work hard to place children and young people, who are in the care system for a variety of reasons, with stable, loving families and we are extremely proud to continue our work with this rating behind us.

“We are proud of all our staff; from our office staff to our social workers and of course, our amazing foster carers whose effect on these children cannot be summed up in one word, but ‘outstanding’ is close enough.”

The report published this month revealed children’s “strong bonds with their carers” and “the welcoming atmosphere, in which children and young people feel as though they are part of a traditional family. Carers feel appreciated and valued”.

It also highlighted children and young people developing confidence, gaining friendships and improving their social and independence skills.

The report added: “The children and young people placed with the agency are having extremely positive experiences.

“The majority of the children and young people are developing positively in their emotional, physical and developmental health.

“A thorough matching process means that the children and young people live in stable placements, as evidenced by the good recent stability rate.

“When placements end abruptly, there is a prompt review with clear learning points for future placements.”

Ofsted inspectors looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people.

The report recommended that, to improve, the agency should ensure information about the child is recorded clearly which will be helpful to the child in the future.