CHILDREN in care in South Gloucestershire are getting a good upbringing, says a new report into fostering.

Youngsters in the district who are being brought up in the care of social services are well cared for and receive excellent support, according to the Children in Care dossier.

South Gloucestershire Council has been awarded Beacon Status for improving outcomes for children in care and its fostering service has been recognised as excellent by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and been awarded top marks by Ofsted for two years running.

The authority runs a What Next work experience project and recently opened a trainer flat where young people can spend a trial period living independently before they leave care.

Young people in care are also involved in the recruitment of children's social services staff and there are nine young people who sit on the interview panel.

Children cared for by the council have a dedicated nurse and the level of annual health and dental assessments is above the national average.

Those in education have a personal education plan, which is reviewed every six months, and personal tutors and additional classroom assistance are available where needed.

Cllr Sheila Cook (Con, Almondsbury), executive member for children and young people, said: "Children and young people are this council's top priority and we are delighted that our services for children and young people in care are so successful.

"This report highlights the excellent work done by our staff but also reflects well on the young people who we support. Several of them were involved in producing the Beacon Award application, and they accompanied us to the award ceremony in London.

"We will continue to work with children and young people to improve our services further and ensure that all reach their potential."

Every effort is made to give young people stability. Only 9.8 percent of children were moved more than three times in the first year they were in care during 2007-08.

Of those children in care for more than two and a half years, 72.5 per cent had stable placements in 2006-07, and 68 percent in 2007-08.