Nearly 400 children rely on foster parents in Peterborough alone, with countless more across the county. Now Cambridgeshire County Council-operated services have been given a clean bill of health by Ofsted inspectors.

The services were given a glowing report by the inspectors, gaining an overall rating of good.

The inspectors report said: "The service has worked hard to improve its service and this is reflected in the overall rating of good. There were some outstanding practices and outcomes for children in positive contribution, economic wellbeing and organisation."

Along with the overall good rating, the service was rated as outstanding – the top grade available – in two areas, organisation and helping children make a positive contribution.

The report said: "Young people placed with foster carers benefit from being encouraged to maintain and develop family contacts and friendships.

"Young people's views are sought in respect of contact and young people report being very satisfied with arrangements for contact and visiting friends.

"The service places a strong emphasis on ensuring that the views of children and young people are promoted."

And feedback from foster families was also positive according to the report.

It said: "The foster carers felt well-supported by a strong and experienced fostering team. Good systems and clear policies and procedures are in place to support and account for the safe care of children and young people.

"Managers have a very good overview of the activity of the service with robust monitoring systems."

However, despite the many positives coming out of the report, there were still things the inspectors said needed work to improve the service.

They said staff needed to ensure an accurate health record is provided and maintained by the foster carer and the fostering service, is updated during the placement and moves with the child, and the children's guide to the fostering service should be produced in alternative formats to meet the needs of different groups of children.

Cambridgeshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's Services Cllr Jill Tuck said: "This is an exceptional report. Congratulations to everyone involved in the smooth and effective operation of the fostering service. It provides exactly the quality of provision we strive to achieve for children and young people in Cambridgeshire."