MORE social services departments in the region are getting their act together after a third round of assessments.

Three years after the Government introduced star ratings to measure the effectiveness of social service departments, more North-East councils have attained a respectable two-star rating.

The updated ratings are based on regular evaluation and form part of an overall assessment of local councils.

All the councils in Teesside retained the same rating as last year, as did Redcar and Cleveland.

Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool were all awarded a two-star rating while Redcar and Cleveland failed to improve on its one star from last year.

A spokeswoman for Middlesbrough Council said it was a very fair assessment while Maurice Bates, Redcar and Cleveland's director of social services and health care, said: "We are pleased that although we remain a one star rating our prospects for improvement have moved from uncertain to promising. We have improved over the last 12 months and that has been recognised."

Sallyanne Johnson, the Hartlepool Borough Council's director of social services, said the service was provding a good service to most people.

She said: "Our focus is constantly on improving services and outcomes for local people so we are very pleased with this rating."

Ann Baxter, director of health and social care at Stockton Borough Council said: "The performance rating reflects the good services provided in Stockton and the dedication of our staff. We will continue to build on these solid foundations to continue to improve services for adults and children."