ST HELENS Council has been quick to respond to nationwide public concern about the safety of children in foster care.

A report outlining the minimum standards expected of all St Helens foster carers was approved by the Social Services Committee. The standards will ensure a quality of care offered to young people looked after by the council, which can then be measured by staff, managers and inspectors.

There are 22 standards included in the document which cover health, contact with the birth family, the foster carer's home and young people's rights. The standards have the flexibility to incorporate the particular needs of individual children, making them responsive to each child's circumstances.

This is a welcome move by the council's Social Services department in the light of public concern to honour its commitment to providing a high-quality foster care service.

A council spokesperson, said: "The safety and protection of all young people looked after is a high priority."

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