Social services awarded top marks

Three councils out of 13 in the North East and Cumbria have been awarded top marks for the care they provide.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection gave Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle councils three stars.

Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, Redcar, Cleveland, South Tyneside, and Stockton on Tees all received two stars.

Cumbria County Council was the only one to get one star while North Tyneside Council rose from one to two stars.

John Fraser, the commission's regional director for the North East, said: "This year has seen the councils continue to demonstrate strong management and leadership in the delivery of social care services for the people of the North East.

The challenge remains for councils to continue to modernise services John Fraser, CSCI

"Two stars or above means that we judge services to be either good or excellent.

"That achievement belongs to the councils themselves, and the hard work of councillors, managers and staff in securing good quality social care services for the people of the North East."

Nationwide 75% of all councils in England have now achieved two or three stars in the 2005 ratings tables.

Mr Fraser added: "However, the challenge remains for councils to continue to modernise services and provide even greater choice and personal control."