SERVICES provided by Durham County Council for people with learning disabilities are on target to achieve an excellence rating.

A team from the Social Services Inspectorate, which includes an assessor with learning disabilities, found that the county council was "serving most people well and had excellent capacity for further improvement".

The report has delighted County Hall officials who say it is a proud day for the service and its staff.

The inspection team members spoke to people who use the service, their carers, staff and other groups that have an involvement with people with learning disabilities.

They also visited day centres, projects, public access areas, supported housing services and advocacy groups as part of their inspection.

As well as looking at the service's case files and records, they carried out surveys to get the views of carers and field workers.

In their report, the inspectors said that there was "purposeful managerial leadership of the service and good political support". They also noted there was a strong commitment to learning disability services at all levels.

Debbie Jones, the council's director of social care and health, said: "The inspectors found we have clear, shared vision for learning disability services and a strategy to deliver it.

"Our objectives and priorities reflect national standards and the inspectors were impressed with our strong relationships with health authorities and other key partners, as well as the opportunity for service users to make their contribution.''

Ms Jones said that the county council's next move would be to draw up an action plan to advise the inspectors how it intended to develop and maintain its services for people with learning disabilities and their carers in the future.

She said: "We are extremely pleased with the assessment, which shows that people with learning disabilities in the county can access high standard services to help them lead full and active lives.

"This is a proud day for County Durham and particularly for our staff in Learning and Disability Services.

"What is important at the end of the day is making a difference to the people we service and this report clearly demonstrates that we do make a difference."