DURHAM County Council's fostering services have been officially rated as "excellent" for the second year running.

In a review by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), it was praised for the commitment of its managers, staff and carers in maintaining excellent standards.

"We recognised that retaining the 'excellent' assessment that we gained last year was always going to be challenging and we are understandably delighted that we have achieved that recognition for the second year running," said Councillor Clare Vasey, cabinet member for children and young people's services.

"The inspectors presented their findings under the five Every Child Matters headings of being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, and achieving economic well-being.

"The service was assessed as excellent under each heading apart from achieving economic well-being, which was classed as good.

"Management quality was also praised as excellent and, overall, the inspectors found that the fostering services deliver positive outcomes for young people of the county.

"In the words of one young person who contributed to the inspection - 'my carer brought out the good in me and made me smile again'."

At the time of the assessment in February, 241 children were placed in 174 fostering families in the county.

Future inspections will be carried out by Ofsted, which has now taken over responsibility for the assessment of children's social care services.

Anyone interested in foster caring can call 0191-370-6149.