CHILDREN in care and foster parents are being given a unique opportunity to influence the way children's services in Blackpool will be run in the future.

Blackpool Borough Council's Community Service Development Committee has called in an independent consultant to co-ordinate a specialised review.

But committee chairman Coun Sylvia Taylor said the review would not just look at internal procedures. It would involve listening to and actively involving the people most affected by what is delivered -- such as foster parents, the children's charity Barnardo's and the children themselves.

"We want to hear from anyone and everyone who thinks they may be able to help us to improve the service," she said.

"We've enlisted the help of experts and intend to talk to people who use the services and to staff in the front line to bring about the necessary improvements.

"We won't resolve all the issues overnight, but we've made an important start."

A timetable for the review is being discussed and the committee proposes holding meetings with staff and stakeholders during February and March, followed by visits early in April to identify the best way forward.