News stories from Brighter Futures for Children
18 May 2023
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…
17 April 2023
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…
24 March 2023
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…
6 March 2023
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…
1 March 2023
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…
6 February 2023
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)…
4 January 2023
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…
13 December 2022
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…
5 December 2022
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…
25 November 2022
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…
27 October 2022
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…
7 September 2022
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…
25 August 2022
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…
18 August 2022
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…
9 August 2022
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…
13 June 2022
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…
6 June 2022
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.…
31 May 2022
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:…
9 May 2022
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…
19 April 2022
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…
4 April 2022
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…
24 March 2022
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…
7 March 2022
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…
4 March 2022
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.…
1 March 2022
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)…
25 January 2022
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…
17 November 2021
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…
16 November 2021
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…
29 October 2021
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…
12 October 2021
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…
4 October 2021
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…
21 September 2021
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…
10 September 2021
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…
6 September 2021
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…
25 August 2021
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…
12 August 2021
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…
10 August 2021
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…
3 August 2021
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…
30 July 2021
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…
28 July 2021
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…
23 July 2021
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)…
21 July 2021
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…
2 July 2021
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…
1 July 2021
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…
23 June 2021
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…
22 June 2021
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…
14 June 2021
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…
8 June 2021
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…
2 June 2021
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…
10 May 2021
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…
7 May 2021
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,…
6 May 2021
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…
16 April 2021
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),…
22 March 2021
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…
15 March 2021
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…
2 March 2021
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…
1 March 2021
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)…
1 March 2021
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…
15 February 2021
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…
11 February 2021
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…
10 February 2021
Help with food and heating offered to Reading families in need
Food vouchers will be provided to children and families in most need in Reading this February half-term. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), Reading Borough…
8 February 2021
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…
18 January 2021
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…
15 December 2020
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…
3 December 2020
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…
17 November 2020
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…
5 November 2020
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…
14 October 2020
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…
18 May 2020
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…
7 May 2020
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…
16 April 2020
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…
7 April 2020
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…
1 April 2020
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…
18 March 2020
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…
16 March 2020
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…
2 March 2020
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%…
18 February 2020
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,…
14 February 2020
‘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…
8 February 2020
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…
27 January 2020
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…
27 January 2020
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…
1 November 2019
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…
28 October 2019
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…
10 September 2019
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…
23 August 2019
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…
15 August 2019
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.…
9 August 2019
‘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…
31 July 2019
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…
29 July 2019
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…
19 July 2019
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…
27 June 2019
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…
30 May 2019
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…
13 May 2019
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…
8 May 2019
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…
16 April 2019
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%…
1 March 2019
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.…
22 February 2019
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…
21 February 2019
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…
19 February 2019
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…
13 February 2019
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…
12 February 2019
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…
12 February 2019
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…
6 February 2019
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…
6 February 2019
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…
3 December 2018
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…
23 August 2018
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…
20 August 2018
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…
31 May 2018
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…
19 April 2018
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…