SOCIAL service chiefs have expressed their delight after new Government figures highlighted improvements in the department.

A report by the Commission for Social Care Inspection has shown the number of young people in care, being given help to find a job or further their education by North Yorkshire County Council has increased in the past year.

The council has also been praised for giving out more money to pensioners and the disabled who want to maintain their independence and live in their own homes.

Councillor Murray Naylor, the council's executive member with special responsibility for social services, said: "I'm delighted by the continued improvement in a whole range of social care services provided by the county council.

"The figures demonstrate that public money continues to be used to deliver the best possible services for vulnerable members of our society.

"We set out our plans some time ago to modernise social services within the county.

"It's good to see these plans coming to fruition and people therefore receiving quality modern support services when they need them."

Richard Pick, senior manager for social services in North Yorkshire, said: "Of course staff and managers are pleased to have their hard work recognised by the inspectors, but the real winners are the people in North Yorkshire who need the department's services.

"It has been recognised for a long time that most older people would prefer to live in their own homes with care and support, rather than move into residential care.

"Our figures show that we are helping more people than ever to continue to live independently by the quicker provision of equipment for people with disabilities and the increased number of intensive home care packages provided in people's homes."

The Commission for Social Care Inspection is the national body responsible for assessing the standards offered by all social services departments in England.

In November, the commission will publish star ratings for each social services department in the country.