News stories from Brighter Futures for Children

Reading’s mental health service for young people scores highly in survey

Reading’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST), which works in schools across the borough, has been rated good or above by almost 100% of its users for a second…


Reading’s not-for-profit independent fostering agency rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted again

Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) independent fostering agency (IFA) has been rated as ‘Good’ following an Ofsted inspection in July.  The overall…


Reading GCSE exam results day 2024

Young people in Reading will be collecting their GCSE or vocational technical qualification (VTQ) results this morning.  While the majority will be pleased…


Reading A-level exam results day 2024

Young people in Reading will be collecting their A-level results this morning, as well as T-level, BTEC and other Level 3 results.  While the majority will be…


Children’s services mascot fronts innovative new messaging campaign

Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) mascot is the face of a brand-new poster campaign, aimed at improving communication, independence and behaviour…


South East local authorities host new minister’s first fostering visit

Twenty local authorities in the South East have hosted a visit from newly appointed Minister Janet Daby MP.   The visit from the Labour MP for Lewisham East,…


Reading’s children’s services has made significant progress with improvements still needed

Overall effectiveness  Requires Improvement to be Good  The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection  Requires Improvement to be…


Reading joins country’s largest fostering partnership

Reading has joined 19 other councils from across the south east to create the country’s largest local authority fostering partnership, with the goal of…


Mental health service for Reading’s young people expands

Brighter Futures for Children’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is expanding to schools in north and east Reading, with the team set to provide support to…


Create your own #FosteringMoments this Foster Care Fortnight

Brighter Futures for Children is encouraging the people of Reading to learn more about becoming a foster carer throughout this year’s Foster Care Fortnight.…


98% of Reading parents offered one of top three preferred primary schools for their child

98% of Reading parents who applied for a primary school place for their child starting school this September have been offered one of their top three preferred…


Reading SEND Local Offer more helpful than ever before

Almost 95% of people who contacted the statutory information service for Reading families who have children with special educational needs and/or disabilities…


93.5% of Reading students offered preferred secondary school place

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) has made sure the 1,859 pupils starting secondary school in Reading have a place for September, despite strong…


Mental Health Support Team shortlisted for national award

Brighter Futures for Children’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) has been shortlisted for the Medium Team of the Year at the LGC Awards 2024. The trailblazing…


RISE service now live for all settings in Reading

The Reading Inclusion Support in Education (RISE) service’s webpage is now live on the professional’s section of Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC)…


School transport policy consultation now open

Brighter Futures for Children is seeking families’ views on proposed changes to its school transport policy. The consultation is open until Sunday 17 March…


Reading’s Children in Care Council wins national award

Children and young people looked after by Brighter Futures for Children in Reading have been awarded first place in the prestigious A National Voice Awards…


Services improving for Reading’s children in care

Services for children in care in Reading are improving and there are clear plans to make further progress, says a report from Ofsted. Inspectors carried out a…


More support proposed for Reading children in care and leaving care

All care leavers in Reading will be eligible for support with their council tax bills until they are 25 under proposals being considered by Reading Borough…


Mental health support service for Reading young people receives top marks

A mental health support service which works in Reading schools has been rated good or above by almost 100% of its users. The Mental Health Support Team (MHST),…


Reading GCSE exam results day 2023

Young people who sat their GCSE exams in Reading this summer will be finding out their results this morning. Vocational technical qualification (VTQ) students…


Reading A-level results 2023

A-level students who sat their exams this summer have been receiving their results this morning (Thursday 17 August). Young people in Reading will also be…


Exam results – advice and support for young people in Reading

Young people in Reading will be able to find advice and support from expert advisors at Elevate careers service when they receive their exam results this…


Choose a Career in Childcare

A campaign to encourage people to choose a career in childcare in Reading has been launched by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC). BFfC, which delivers…


Forbury Gardens wildflower area dedicated to Reading foster carers

A wildflower area in the Forbury Garden is being dedicated to Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) foster carers in Reading to celebrate the amazing work…


First preference primary school places offered to 91% of Reading families

Ninety-one per cent of Reading parents have been offered a place at their first preference primary school for their child this year. And 98% of Reading parents…


Support for pupils as part of Reading’s Holiday Activity and Food initiative

Brighter Futures for Children & Reading Borough Council press release Holiday camps across Reading will once again be providing a wide variety of exciting…


Pinecroft children’s home rated ‘Outstanding’

A children's home for Reading young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Inspectors gave…


Preferred secondary school places offered to 95% of pupils

Technical problems with the admissions portal meant that parents were unable to access their children’s school place offer online on Wednesday morning. This…


Smiles all round for Reading SEND Local Offer

More than 90% of people who contacted an information service for Reading families who have children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)…


Reading children’s home judged ‘Outstanding’

A children’s home that provides short breaks for Reading children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has been judged…


Give the gift of home this Christmas

A festive campaign encouraging Reading people to consider giving the gift of home to a vulnerable child has been launched by Brighter Futures for Children…


Appointment of new, permanent Director of Children’s Services for Reading

Reading Borough Council & Brighter Futures for Children press release Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) are delighted…


Upgrade of online services directory for Reading families

BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN & READING BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE   Reading’s online directory which provides information for families, adults and…


Foster Carers Dinner & Awards Evening 2022

The commitment and dedication of Reading’s foster carers was celebrated at a special award ceremony on Thursday (20 October). Seventy-seven foster carers…


Expansion of mental health service for Reading’s young people

A service which offers additional mental health support to children and young people in Reading is expanding to cover more than double the number of schools in…


Reading GCSE results 2022

Students across Reading are collecting their GCSE results this morning (25 August). This year’s candidates are the first to have sat their GCSE exams since…


Reading AS/A-Level results 2022

Young people across Reading have been finding out their A/AS level results this morning (Thursday 18 August). This year’s candidates are the first to sit exams…


Expert careers advisors on hand to give exam results support

Young people in Reading will be able to access expert advice and guidance from professional careers advisors at Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) after…


Reading families invited to register for summer Holiday Activity & Food scheme

Hundreds of families across Reading are being invited to register for the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme this summer. The programme provides a wide…


Kit Lam joins Brighter Futures for Children as Executive Director of Finance and Resources

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) in Reading has announced the appointment of Kit Lam as its new, permanent Executive Director of Finance and Resources.…


Reading Virtual School’s first virtual annual conference – 17 June 2022

An exciting programme of events is promised for guests at Reading Virtual School’s first virtual annual conference in June. The theme is ‘United Journeys:…


Celebrating the magic of Reading’s fostering community

Fostering communities is the theme of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) will be celebrating the brilliant fostering…


First preference primary school places offered to 89% of Reading families

Almost 90% of Reading parents have been offered their first preference of primary school for their child this year. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which…


New Director of Education appointed

A new permanent Director of Education for Reading has been appointed by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC). Brian Grady, whose hometown is Reading, will…


Work starts on new SEND school

Partnership press statement There’s great news for local young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as work has started on site to…


BFfC supports LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week 2022

Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) fostering service in Reading – which is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted -is supporting a national campaign to encourage more…


Brighter Futures for Children’s fostering service improves to ‘Good’

The fostering service provided for Reading by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) has improved its rating to ‘Good’ following a recent Ofsted inspection.…


More than 90% of Reading students offered preferred secondary school place

Ninety-two per cent of Reading students have been offered a place in one of their preferred secondary schools this year. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC)…


New training video to boost understanding of young people with additional needs

Issued on behalf of Berkshire West CCG, Special United & Brighter Futures for Children Ten young Reading people with autism and/or additional needs feature…


Free trip to the panto and Christmas holiday clubs offered through the HAF scheme

Brighter Futures for Children & Reading Borough Council press release Children will be able to enjoy a free trip to the pantomime and take part in fun…


Additional SEND places created at Reading schools

BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN & READING BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE Additional places for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities…


Reading wins national award for Best SEND Local Offer

A service which provides information and support for Reading families with children who have special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has won a…


Oak Tree School  Statement

We were very disappointed to learn of the delay to the opening of Oak Tree School in Winnersh, which had been expected to open in September 2022. Brighter…


National fostering film project launches in Reading

Brighter Futures for Children is joining fostering services across the country for the national release of a new short film commissioned by the largest…


Brighter Futures for Children celebrates Sons and Daughters Month

Children of foster carers play a vital role in helping children or young people in care feel welcome and part of their foster family. We are celebrating their…


Cressingham children’s home remains ‘Outstanding’

A Reading children’s home run by Brighter Futures for Children has retained its ‘Outstanding’ rating following a recent full Ofsted inspection. Cressingham…


The Lodge nursery rated ‘Good’

A nursery run by Brighter Futures for Children has been judged ‘Good’ following a full Ofsted inspection. The Lodge, at Southcote Children’s Centre, provides…


Successful bid to improve support for disadvantaged families

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) has successfully bid for government funding to develop a programme which will improve services for families in Reading and…


Pinecroft children’s home rated ‘Good’

A Reading children’s home run by Brighter Futures for Children has been rated ‘Good’ following a full Ofsted inspection. Pinecroft provides care for up to five…


GCSE exam results 2021

Students have been receiving their GCSE exam results across Reading today. For the second consecutive year, the government said that GCSE exams could not be…


Reading AS/A level results 2021

Young people across Reading have been receiving their A-level results this morning (Tuesday 10 August). As last year, the government decided A-level exams…


Exam results support for Reading’s young people

Young people will be able to access expert support from Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) professional careers advisers after they receive their exam…


Young people talk about mental health challenges of the pandemic

Young ambassadors for a Reading youth counselling service have produced a series of videos discussing mental health issues related to the pandemic. No5…


Quality of care for children & young people with SEND in Reading improving

Brighter Futures For Children,  Berkshire West CCG & RBC Press Release The quality of care and support for children and young people with special…


Summer activities for children and young people across Reading

Activities ranging from basketball to a teddy bear’s picnic are being offered to children and young people in Reading by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC)…


Supporting Reading schools to make ‘green’ learning fun

Inspiring and fun ways of teaching Reading pupils about climate change and the environment are featured in a new newsletter for schools published by Brighter…


Help with school uniforms

Parents of children who are starting secondary school in September will soon be thinking about buying the school uniform for the start of term. The cost of a…


Pandemic accelerated a new way of working

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred us on to try new ways of working which are here to stay, the Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) says in a…


Reading part of a pilot for a new UK government emergency alert system

The UK government is introducing a new Emergency Alerts system that will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger. To…


National Thank a Teacher Day 2021

A national day to celebrate the work of teachers is taking place on Wednesday 23 June and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is encouraging Reading’s…


Reading foster carers recognised for outstanding contribution and long service

A virtual awards ceremony was held to recognise the amazing work of Reading’s foster carers, new and old. Brighter Futures for Children’s independent…


Brighter Futures for Children’s fostering team take on the #JerusalemaChallenge

What better way to spend a sunny morning than in a stunning Reading park, learning the steps and ‘moves’ to take on the ‘Jerusalema dance challenge’. That’s…


Invitation to deliver summer activities for Reading children

Organisations across Reading are being invited to bid for funding to provide activities for disadvantaged children throughout the summer holidays. Brighter…


Foster Care Fortnight: Why keeping children in care rooted in Reading makes a difference

Brighter Futures for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) is encouraging the people of Reading to learn more about being a foster carer during…


Brighter Futures for Children becomes Fostering Friendly employer

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which delivers children’s services in Reading, is delighted to announce it has become a Fostering Friendly employer,…


Brighter Futures for Children chosen as research partner in safeguarding study

A £1.9m project studying safeguarding risks faced by young people outside their home will look at innovative work being carried out by Brighter Futures for…


First choice primary school places offered to 90% of Reading children

Ninety per cent of Reading parents have been offered their first choice of primary school for their child this year. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC),…


Children’s company commits to agile way of working

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) in Reading has introduced a new agile way of working which puts staff wellbeing at the heart of the organisation. The…


Celebrating the contribution of Reading’s young carers

The incredible work of young carers in Reading will be celebrated by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) on Young Carers Action Day tomorrow (Tuesday 16…


Share a story for World Book Day 2021

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is aiming to create a virtual bookshelf for Reading’s children and its Board Chair will be reading one of the amazing…


A place for every Reading secondary school student

Ninety-three per cent of Reading students have been offered a place in one of their preferred secondary schools this year. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC)…


Launch of first Reading Youth Council virtual conference

The Reading Youth Council (RYC) Conference has been launched with the aim of reaching as many young people in the borough as possible. There will be lots of…


Campaign to find more Reading foster carers for teenagers

One year ago, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) planted a tree in Town Hall Square in partnership with Ethical Reading, Reading Borough Council and the…


Opportunities for Reading young people in National Apprenticeship Week

The wide diversity of opportunities available to young people through apprenticeships is being highlighted this week. National Apprenticeships Week (February 8…


Reading’s Improving Children’s Services Out of Intervention

The below press release was issued by Reading Borough Council on 8 February 2021 The continuing improvement journey of children’s services in Reading reached…


New Skills and Employment Youth Hub opens

A new one-stop shop for young people looking for employment, education or training has opened in Reading town centre. The Skills and Employment Youth Hub will…


Thank you to schools for rising to unique challenge

Public Health England South East & Brighter Futures for Children press release Schools across Reading are being thanked for the work they have put into…


Happy second birthday to Brighter Futures for Children

03 December 2020 Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is celebrating its second birthday today (Thursday 3 December). As a not-for-profit company we have made…


Encouraging children to Move More

17 November 2020 Primary schools across Reading are being asked to sign up to a new initiative to encourage children to be more active. The Move More campaign…


Celebrating success – our care leaver braving changes

Being taken into care when you’re young can make the world a confusing place - from trying to understand what’s happened to you, what you’ve just experienced…


Youth Climate Summit 2020

05 November 2020 A virtual national youth climate summit involving pupils from Reading is taking place next week. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is one…


Equality – A poem by a young person in care

Equality we all want it but do we really want to live in a world that is forced upon us. Do we really want to live on a planet that has more segregation than a…


National Thank a Teacher Day 

A national day to celebrate teachers is taking place on Wednesday 20 May and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is encouraging as many people as possible to…


During Foster Care Fortnight, picture life as a foster family in Reading 

A campaign to keep Reading’s children in care in Reading is being stepped up during Foster Care Fortnight (11-24 May).  There are more than 270 children and…


More than 95% get top three choice for primary school places in Reading

More than 83% of parents got their first choice for their children’s primary school places in Reading this year, despite an increase in 160 applications…


New Chair announced for Brighter Futures for Children 

Di Smith, Brighter Futures for Children Chair BRIGHTER Futures for Children (BFfC) has announced the appointment of its new Board Chair. The company provides…


Former foster carers urged to return during coronavirus crisis

Brighter Futures for Children, which delivers children’s services in Reading, is putting out a call to former foster carers in the borough to re-register amid…


Reading’s fostering service no longer inadequate

Brighter Futures for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) has been judged ‘Requires Improvement to be Good’ by Ofsted, following its first inspection…


Reading unites against child exploitation

Making sure all children across the borough are safe is a key priority for Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which is working with partner organisations…


Record number of Reading student get first choice secondary school place

A record number of students have had an offer of their first preference for secondary school place in Reading this year. First preference offers stand at 73%…


Cherry blossom tree marks start of ‘Rooted in Reading’ campaign

Brighter Futures for Children and Ethical Reading joint press release, February 18 2020 When a 14-year-old boy moved to his permanent foster home last year,…


‘Outstanding’ rating for our short breaks children’s home

Cressingham, one of two children’s homes run in Reading by Brighter Futures for Children, has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted after a recent unannounced…


Reading’s Improving Children’s Services Out of Intervention

The below press release was issued by Reading Borough Council on 8 February 2021The continuing improvement journey of children’s services in Reading reached a…


Reading Youth Council 2020 Conference

by Kalvin Gavrilov Reading Youth Council press officer When and where: Friday, 31 January, 9am-3pm at Meadow Suite, Reading University The time has come to…


Launch of new mental health service for Reading’s young people

Brighter Futures for Children is delighted to be part of an innovative trailblazer project in Reading offering additional mental health services to children…


Children’s services host first Reading-wide climate change conference for headteachers

Brighter Futures for Children is paving the way for every school in Reading to have UN-accredited climate change teacher. On 4 November, the education arm of…


Reading’s children’s services no longer inadequate

A joint statement from Reading Brough Council and us. Brighter Futures for Children, the Reading Borough Council-owned company which took over children’s…


Phoenix College to join Maiden Erlegh Trust

Joint statement from Brighter Futures for Children and Maiden Erlegh Trust The Regional Schools Commissioner has approved the move to bring Phoenix College…


Reading bucks national trend with higher GCSE grades this year

More Reading pupils achieved grades 9-4 in English and Maths this year and the overall attainment is higher than in previous years. Figures from schools in the…


Record number of Reading pupils get grades A*- E this year

THE number of students achieving A-level grades A*-E has increased in Reading, according to provisional figures collated by Brighter Futures for Children.…


‘Outstanding’ rating for our children’s home

Pinecroft, one of two children’s homes run in Reading by the newly-formed Brighter Futures for Children, has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted after an…


Children in care film gets standing ovation

An inspirational film, made by and for children in care, got a standing ovation at its premiere in Reading recently. The film, which is almost four minutes…


Young people in care speak out through poetry

Young people in care who took part in an eight-week poetry course, called Spoken Word, Spoken Mind, read their poems out to an invited audience as part of…


Progress is slow but we’re upbeat about our future plans

Ofsted has today (19/7/19) published its findings on its second monitoring visit since Brighter Futures for Children took over children’s services from Reading…


Official Opening of New Autism Resource Centre in Reading

Joint press release with Reading Borough Council A NEW resource centre for children with autism is being officially opened in Reading next week. The Blessed…


SEND Update

Brighter Futures for Children fully recognises the national pressure on funding for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Since we took over the…


It’s Foster Care Fortnight and we’re on a mission to help keep children local to Reading

Brighter Futures for Children's fostering team is embarking on a huge campaign during Foster Care Fortnight to encourage more people to become foster carers in…


Ofsted notes speed and effectiveness of response time for children at risk

Reading’s children’s services’ response to concerns about children at risk is quick and effective, according to a report by Ofsted inspectors published today…


 More pupils get first choice primary school place this year

Reading’s new children’s company, Brighter Futures for Children, has made sure all primary school pupils in the borough have a place for September, with 87%…


64% of Reading students get first choice school on National Offer Day

This year, Reading schools have been more popular than ever, with a greater number of residents choosing schools in the Borough than schools outside it.…


Support for Parents/Carers of Secondary Students in Reading – Self Harm Support – 27 February

The Reading Young Peoples’ Emotional Wellbeing Partnership is delighted to offer a series of opportunities for parents/carers to find out more about a range…


Fostering Information Service Event Tonight

Fostering Information Service Event 21 February, 2019 Reading Civic Centre, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU Committee Room 3 17:00 - 19:00 Have you ever considered…


Kicking off half term at Reading Football Club

A big thank you to Reading Football Club Community Trust which has given our children in care the opportunity to train at their fantastic facilities. Everyone…


Reading Youth Cabinet Conference 1st March

Reading Youth Cabinet are holding a conference by young people for young people on the 1st of March at St Laurence’s Church. The conference starts at 9.30am…


BFfC to take part in restorative approach project

A new programme that involves children and professionals from a range of public bodies who have contact with children and young people is being rolled out…


Make your voice heard

The Reading Youth Cabinet elections are being held in March 2019 and we are looking for young people to put themselves forward to stand for election. Reading…


It’s Children’s Mental Health Week

Calling all parents, carers, schools and workplaces - this week is Children's Mental Health Week and Brighter Futures for Children is encouraging you to join…


Norcot Early Years Centre ‘Outstanding’

A Tilehurst nursery school has been judged ‘Outstanding’ following a recent Ofsted inspection. Norcot Early Years Centre has maintained the outstanding…


Brighter Futures for Children logo

Brighter Futures for Children begins

A new company created to provide Children’s Services for Reading has gone live this morning (Monday 3rd December). From today, Brighter Futures for Children is…


Teenager working on car engine

Positive futures for young people leaving care

Young people leaving care are well prepared for the future and supported in all aspects of their lives, according to the latest Ofsted report on Reading’s…


Teenager/young man looking at notice board

A-level results 2018

The number of pupils achieving the highest A-level grades increased in Reading this year, according to provisional figures collated by the Council. Sixty-two…


Reading Mayor Cllr Deborah Edwards with In our Shoes artwork

Children in care art displayed at Reading Museum

Artwork created by children in care has been put on display at Reading Museum. A group of young people who live away from their natural parents have given an…


New children’s services company starts formation with selection of name and appointment of Chair

Significant steps have been taken to form the new company which will run Reading’s Children Services. The company now has a name, a company Chair and a…