Dumfries And Galloway Council Adoption Services Commended

DUMFRIES and Galloway Council has been given a rating of “very good” for its provision of fostering and adoption services.

The grading was given in the first report since the introduction of the six-point assessment system by the Care Commission.

It was based on the quality of care and support, as well as quality of staff, management and leadership.

Councillor Denis Male, chairman of the social work services committee, said: “We can be confident that the staff in the fostering and adoption teams provide a consistently first class service.

“I would like to join my colleagues in commending both teams on their excellence.”

Although the council received positive feedback for their provision of foster and adoption services, it was highlighted that some carers felt services were too centralised.

The report, brought before the social work services committee, said: “Some carers felt there was a tendency for services to be primarily located in Dumfries.

“This had an impact on the length of time that children and young people had to be taken out of school to attend certain services.”

The report went on to say that management recognised the concern.

The grading system was introduced in April last year, allowing ratings to be given of between six for excellent and one for unsatisfactory.

The social work committee also changed its fostering and adoption services smoking policy.

Following advice from the British Association of Adoption and Fostering, the committee agreed to exclude foster carers who smoke from caring for children under the age of five years or any children with respiratory or mobility difficulties.