A DAMNING report on fostering in Lancashire has labelled the county's provisions as 'inadequate' in meeting the needs of vulnerable youngsters.

An Ofsted inspection of Lancashire County Council's fostering service has led to the authority being served with a 'notice to improve'.

Ofsted inspectors Helen Humphreys and Jeffrey Banham have slammed County Hall for not ensuring criminal records checks are carried out on people living with looked-after children.

Managers' lack of knowledge of regulations and current good practice, and too many foster placements not being suitable for youngsters' needs, were also heavily criticised.

Concerns were similarly expressed about foster children having to share bedrooms with older children who were not their brothers or sisters.

Council officials have this week drawn up an urgent taskforce to ensure that the problems are tackled.

The fostering service has been given until the end of this month to ensure all of the criminal record checks have been carried out, and foster care arrangements are tightened up by the same date.

County officials have also been told they must create an effective management system for the fostering service by the start of 2008, as there is no-one in current overall charge of the department.

All carers must also meet current regulations and be adequately assessed before caring for children, by January.

Ofsted's Mrs Humphreys and Mr Banham say in a report: "Criminal records disclosure forms had not been obtained for all young people aged over 18 who were living with looked-after children.

Later they add: "The matching process is not robust or safe. Children have been placed with carers who had not been assessed, or approved to care for them.

"Some children had been placed in an emergency but the assessment had not been completed in an appropriate timescales."

Provisions for ensuring the health of foster children, helping them to achieve and make worthwhile contributions to society were deemed 'satisfactory' by the inspector.

But the criteria for protecting children from harm or neglect, and organisational capabilities, were regarded as 'inadequate', leading to an 'inadequate' overall rating.

The assessments carried out on foster carers were found to be of a poor standard and contained 'little analysis' and the number of carers attending training was 'very low'.

Pat Jefferson, executive director of children's services, said: "The head of children social care is leading an urgently-convened Ofsted fostering project group with members selected to ensure that a comprehensive action plan will address these key issues and ensure statutory compliance."