FOSTERING services in Hampshire have been given two thumbs up by Ofsted inspectors.

The service was rated as consistently good across the county, while the organisation was described as outstanding during the four-day inspection.

The report highlighted good working arrangements with school nurses, mental health services and other health specialists ensuring young people's health needs are met.

In addition it found matching requirements are well understood taking into account the cultural and religious needs of young people and foster carers get good information and are well trained.

Although no formal requirements to improve were issued, inspectors made four recommendations to help Children's Services ensure the future development and enhancement of the service.

These were to provide more information about potential carers to young people, to ensure the service continues to seek the views of young people in all issues which affect their daily life, to ensure the service helps develop skills, competencies and knowledge for independent adult living and to ensure the continued provision of specialist health services for young people in care.

Councillor Patricia Banks, Hampshire County Council's executive member for children and families, said: "The good practices of Hampshire have been acknowledged, particularly the excellent training and support given to carers and the involvement of young people in the development of services ."