WARRINGTON Borough Council's latest quarterly performance report has revealed boosts to employment, education and care services for the vulnerable.

Findings have shown the council worked with 158 children and their families in order to reduce the number of younger people going into care, with support available for a further 285 families as part of Warrington's 'complex families programme'.

The report states 92.3 per cent of older people who used the council's reablement service are now living independently at home 91 days after being discharged from hospital, compared to the national and regional average of 80 per cent.

The authority has trained more than 3,000 new 'dementia friends' across the borough to improve the support available.

Education has also experienced a welcome boost.

A total of 97 per cent of Warrington's primary schools – and all three of its special schools – are now regarded by Ofsted as 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Developments made to Locking Stumps, Chapelford, Evelyn Street, Callands, Barrow Hall and St Philip's primary schools were highlighted as 'benefiting' youngsters.

Figures related to employment show the council's work with partners has supported a reduction in the percentage of the population claiming jobseekers' allowance, which is now at 0.8 per cent, with the out of work benefits rate standing at 10.2 per cent, which is lower than the national average of 11.4 per cent.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill said: "We can be rightly proud of these achievements, which come in the face of ongoing Government budget cuts.

"We continue to make progress thanks to the dedication and hard work put in by council staff, our many partners and hundreds of volunteers and residents.

"There are, of course, still areas of improvement to be made, in making Warrington safer, healthier and more prosperous.

"We will continue to focus our efforts, striving as always to do our best for the people of the borough."

The report will be noted at the council's executive board meeting on Monday, September 12.