Therapeutic Fostering Agency Celebrates 'Outstanding' Ofsted Rating
Families First Fostering Ltd, a therapeutic fostering agency based in Stone, Staffordshire, has received an ‘Outstanding’ rating in all areas from Ofsted in its latest inspection.
Supporting 25 fostering households and 31 children, the agency was praised for excellence across three key areas: children’s experiences and progress, leadership and management, and safeguarding.
Ofsted reported that children “make exceptional progress” thanks to the agency’s nurturing, therapeutically informed care. Inspectors noted that children feel truly at home, with one saying, “They make me feel like part of their family,” and another rating their foster home “ten out of ten.
”The agency’s strong focus on permanence ensures many children live in long-term homes, with some progressing toward adoption or special guardianship. Children benefit from personalised support, including therapeutic workshops, art therapy, and time with a therapy dog—all underpinned by a consistent therapeutic ethos.
Families First’s innovative ‘Stepping Stones’ programme, which helps children transition from residential care to foster families, was also praised for improving placement stability and success.
Leadership was described as exceptional, with Responsible Individual Rachael Davies and Registered Manager Amy Beresford recognised for their passion, vision, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Foster carers receive high levels of support, helping them manage children’s needs in a therapeutic way. All carers complete a therapeutic qualification.
Ofsted also commended robust safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and a strong culture of advocacy. Feedback from carers and staff was overwhelmingly positive, with many joining from other agencies for the organisation’s child-focused, family-like approach.
Nationally recognised with multiple awards, Families First Fostering continues to set the standard in therapeutic fostering.
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