Praise for children's services

The assessment rates East Sussex County Council highest out of 19 authorities in the South East Region, which includes Kent, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Nationally, only seven councils scored better than East Sussex, and only 14 others achieved a rating of "excellent" for social care.

Overall, the report stated that East Sussex County Council's Children Services: "consistently deliver services above the minimum requirements for children and young people".

The results are from the Annual Performance Assessment for 2005/2006 carried out by Ofsted and the Commission for Social Care and Inspection (CSCI). In four out of the seven categories measured, East Sussex had improved its rating on an already strong performance in 2005

The children's services' "capacity to improve" was also specifically highlighted as "outstanding" and achieved the best possible rating. The report also comments on good partnership working.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Keith Glazier, lead county cabinet member for children's and adult services, said: "I would like to pay tribute to our wonderful staff and partners who have achieved this recognition for our Children's Services in East Sussex. Their commitment improves the service year after year and helps to make East Sussex a great place for children and young people to live."

Among the services which were singled out for praise were the under-19 substance misuse service and the young people's participation in developing services.

The report also said East the county council provides "excellent services for looked-after children with a range of good quality residential, fostering and adoption services available."