Article: Fostering News Article Body In this area we'll keep you updated about any new developments related to fostering in Barnsley and let you know about any upcoming events. Fostering familes enjoyed the Hallowe'en and Christmas parties organised by the Foster Carers Association. Lots of families and children came along - and the Christmas party was even helped along by several teenage 'elf' volunteers! Thanks to everyone involved in organising and running the party. It was a great success. The association is getting together again to start to plan activities for the year. We are wondering about an Olympic sports day, or something for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee? All ideas and offers of help welcome. The council held a Celebration of Achievement event for all children and young people in care in November. Awards were presented to children and young people for a range of achievements - in education, sport and leisure and overcoming difficulties. The event was held at Barnsley College and a buffet and disco were provided after the presentation. Lots of children in foster care were nominated and enjoyed the recognition of their achievements. It's a great time for foster carers too who can see the amazing progress their children have made. It can be emotional - and when one little girl stood up in her party dress to sing 'You are my sunshine' there wasn't a dry eye in the house! Recruitment of new foster carers We had a good response after our publicity in the council's Open Door magazine. We have some excellent carers who care for children of all ages with special needs, some for short breaks, some long term and find the work very rewarding. (See Paul and Jan's profile on Meet the Carers). If you are working full time, you can still provide a short break for a child with disabilities for say one weekend a month, or an overnight after school. This makes all the difference in the world to a family caring for a disabled child and is a support for the whole family. We also need carers to provide full time care for children with special needs. If you have experience from your work, or from caring in your family, for children on the autistic spectrum or babies with special needs find out about our Care Plus fee paid scheme and think about making fostering your career. If you would like to know more from foster carers who are already providing short breaks, please let us know and we will ask one of our experienced carers to contact you. We continue to be very busy and always need more foster carers. We particularly need foster carers for babies and children under five years, so if this is your area of interest we would be very pleased to hear from you. We can respond quickly to enquiries and would prioritise your application - and we can keep you busy after approval! Ofsted inspection Ofsted inspected Barnsley's fostering service in September 2010 and the service was rated overall as 'good' with three areas 'outstanding'. Inspectors reported the fostering service as being "a well managed service which is providing good outcomes for children and young people in care".