TACT South West has received the highest possible rating –  Outstanding, by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) for its work with vulnerable children and young people in the South West of England.

Following a recent inspection of TACT, Ofsted reports that ….’Outcomes for children are consistently outstanding in all areas. Children who spoke to the inspector said that they had made great progress since living with their foster families.’

 Scott Ruddock TACT Executive Director for Children’s Services said: The most common reasons for a child or young person being taken into care include abuse, neglect or family breakdown, so it is fantastic testament to the restorative power of fostering that these often traumatised children and young people are evidently thriving while in the care of TACT’s wonderful foster carers.”

Ofsted lauded TACT for how well foster children and young people are helped and protected, and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

Elaine Graham, TACT SW Area Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ofsted has recognised the hard work and dedication of our staff, foster carers, therapists and support staff. We hope that getting such a fantastic endorsement from Ofsted will encourage people to consider fostering with TACT.  There is a desperate shortage of carers for all the children and young people in the South West of England that continue to enter the care system.

Hannah, TACT foster carer said “‘ I am so chuffed TACT has been rated so highly and it is well deserved. Foster carers and staff are not just part of a team; we are a family, and that is how it feels.”

TACT strives to become a fully trauma informed organization, and it was noted by Ofsted that the charity….  ‘underpins every aspect of their care for children with trauma-informed practice. Carers are skilled in understanding children’s behaviour. They know how to respond to children in ways that promote their self-esteem and resilience. This ethos is led from the top. During the inspection, the inspector saw this practice in all areas of care.

Among the other praiseworthy aspects of TACT South West’s work is the support provided for children and young people’s education. When children start school, support plans are devised that reflect their individual needs and TACT staff work with schools when they are not meeting the needs of children.

The high quality of training available to foster carers and supervising social workers was also cited as a strength of the charity.

TACT South West provides a fostering service in Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset, Somerset and Swindon.

The service offers short-term, long-term, respite and emergency care. The service can accommodate children with disabilities, groups of brothers and sisters, unaccompanied asylum seekers, and parents and children.

At the time of this inspection, TACT South West was supervising 42 approved fostering households, providing care for 52 children and young people.