Home Affairs Correspondent
Foster Care Link, a specialist agency recruiting Muslim foster carers for Muslim children, has retained an Outstanding Ofsted rating for a fourth consecutive inspection.
The March 23-27 inspection found the agency “highly effective”, with services consistently exceeding standards and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Established in 2004, Foster Care Link works with local authorities across London, the Midlands and North West. At the time of inspection, it supported 61 children through 62 approved fostering households.
The latest judgement follows Outstanding ratings in 2014, 2018 and 2023. The agency said only a small number of England’s more than 300 independent fostering agencies have achieved four consecutive Outstanding ratings.
Director Ismail Amaan credited foster carers and staff for the result.
“We are extremely pleased with this result. It is through the dedication and commitment of our amazing foster carers and staff team that we have achieved this accolade,” he said.
Inspectors praised the agency’s leadership, safeguarding and quality of care, including its specialist role in matching Muslim children with families able to meet their cultural and religious needs.
Registered Manager Abdurrahman Sayed said: “Behind every placement we make is a story of difficult circumstances that has led to a child or young person entering care.”
He added: “The continued Ofsted Outstanding rating is particularly meaningful because it confirms that an independent inspection has found us to be operating to the highest standards.”
Foster Care Link said it has worked with more than 95 local authorities across England and placed hundreds of Muslim children and young people with foster families over more than two decades.
Co-Director Mohamed Zina said the rating reflected “more than 20 years of experience” and a continued focus on improvement.
The agency said a shortage of Muslim foster carers remained across England and that it continued to recruit carers to help Muslim children maintain connections with their faith, culture and community.
