Bracknell

Services for children and young people provided by Bracknell Forest Council have been graded as 'performs well' by inspectors from Ofsted.

Their overall judgement was that Bracknell Forest's children's services "exceeds minimum requirements".

The report found that:

* Larchwood, the council’s children’s home, is outstanding and the adoption services are satisfactory;
* the fostering service and private fostering arrangements are good;
* childminding and childcare settings are particularly good compared to such provision in similar areas and the national average;
* Kennel Lane, the council’s special school, is outstanding, and College Hall, the pupil referral unit, is satisfactory;
* most children and young people have a good start in life and enjoy good health; and
* educational achievement is in line with the average for similar areas and England overall.

Martin Gocke, acting director of Bracknell Children, Young People and Learning, said: "I am pleased Ofsted have recognised the many strengths of children’s services in the borough.

"I am particularly pleased the report acknowledged the excellent work of the staff at Kennel Lane and Larchwood, and that of our family placement team who work with the fostering of our borough’s children and young people.

"While the report is positive, we will not become complacent as the safety and wellbeing of our young residents is the number one priority for us. We will continue to improve our services and look forward to welcoming back inspectors from Ofsted in 2010.”

Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard, executive member for Bracknell children and young people, said: "This is good news for every child in Bracknell Forest because it shows we are providing them with good quality services.

"Well done to all the people involved in ensuring that our children and young people are safe, healthy and achieve academically."

Bracknell Forest Council