MORE than 80 per cent of social services users and carers consider County Durham's services to be excellent or good, according to a new report.

But it also finds that work is needed to address 'patchy' provision in some areas.

A joint review report by the Social Services Inspectorate and the Audit Commission on services provided by Durham County Council was released last week.

It follows extensive research into the quality of services arranged by the council in collaboration with other agencies and delivered through a network of providers.

In compiling the report, the review team consulted with a wide range of people and organisations who either receive social services or work with the council.

They found that 82 per cent of users and carers rated their satisfaction with services as excellent or good, and that in some areas, especially listening to children and young people, the council was ahead of the field.

The team also judged that most services had improved over the past two years, and noted that Durham had received national recognition for the quality of its services.

But it warned that some people were still waiting too long for an assessment and some not receiving help to be independent.

The reviewers described some services as 'patchy and traditional', and said people were sometimes confused about accessing the department.

The report is part of a rolling programme to assess social service authorities across England and Wales.

It follows the publication of a long-awaited inquiry into the death of autistic youngster Mark Young, whose mother Helen Rogan plunged with him from a local viaduct after a life of struggle with his condition.

The inquiry found that social services staff were not to blame, but recommended that agencies co-operated better in future.

Peter Kemp, director of social services, acknowledged that more work was required to modernise services and strengthen partnership working on services for the elderly, children and families.