No top rating for social services

Social services in Birmingham have been named as among the worst in England in the latest star ratings.

Elsewhere Coventry's social services department finally moved off the Department of Health's special measures list after improving its rating this year.

Birmingham City Council was one of eight councils in the country to receive a zero rating by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI).

It is the second year the department has been given the lowest rating because its children's services are still not satisfactory.

Social services star ratings Two stars Telford & Wrekin Worcestershire Warwickshire Solihull Shropshire Sandwell Herefordshire Dudley One star Wolverhampton Walsall Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire Coventry Zero stars Birmingham

However its adult's services have been judged higher this year with promising prospects for improvement.

Eight councils in the West Midlands received a two star rating, while five were awarded one stars. The highest rating possible is three stars.

Chief executive of Birmingham City Council Lin Home said: "We accept that we are not currently serving all people well enough in providing social care - and to that extent we do not yet deserve a star.

"However we would have really valued a promising prospect on both children and adults and, as the SSI is not yet able to give this, then I must go on record as chief executive in saluting the efforts made so far.

"During the past 18 months we have achieved a lot and we are on track to make even more improvements.

"We will serve customers better in the future, but to do so we must acknowledge and applaud the efforts already being made."