STAR ratings for social services departments in the North-East are unchanged after a second round of assessments.
While some authorities around the UK gained additional stars since the first ratings were published in May, the 12 North-Eastern councils have stayed unchanged.
Newcastle and Sunderland remain the only councils in the region to be awarded the maximum three star rating.
Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and York are all stuck on two stars, while Darlington, Durham, North Yorkshire, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton have one star.
Issued by the Social Services Inspectorate and the Department of Health, the updated ratings provide a picture of social services' performances, separating those for adults and children, and how well they are serving people.
The ratings are based on regular evaluation and form part of an overall assessment of local councils.
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