better!

HALTON Council is 'tackling identified weaknesses' following a one-star rating of its social services.

The Audit Commission found several key weaknesses last year but now the assistant review director, Anne Bretheton, says 'good progress has been made'.

"Halton is rising to meet the challenge of transforming its social services," she said.

But the Commission added: "It is critical, however, that good intentions at the top are translated into real improvements for the people on the ground."

The problems identified by the report were weaknesses in protecting children, delays in getting help and gaps in service availability. The original report did note that care service users were satisfied and staff were committed.

The council says the key improvements they have made since then include a reduction in the time taken to deliver equipment, an increase in the number of reviews of children on the child protection register and a significant reduction in the number of delayed transfers from hospital.

Executive director for social care, Diane Terris, said: "We have come a long way since taking over responsibility for social services in 1998 and do have a lot to be proud of. However, there were some aspects of the service which were not at a level we would have liked. These have, and are still, being addressed."