COUNTY Durham's social services will undergo a major performance review later this month.

The Audit Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate will begin a two-month evaluation as part of a national programme of social service department assessments.

Durham County Council hopes the review will give independent confirmation that it is providing efficient and effective social care, as well suggesting future improvements.

The inspection team will interview service users, carers, key partners, front line staff, senior managers, internal and independent service providers, councillors and trade union representatives.

The council will be given a rating ranging from "not serving people well with uncertain prospects for improvement" to "overall, serving people well with excellent prospects for improvement".

The review team will concentrate on two areas, Easington and the Dales, as the focus for their field work.

Social services director Peter Kemp said: "This joint review provides an opportunity, alongside other more regular inspections and audits, to gain feedback on our performance against national standards and benchmarks based upon similar authorities.

"I am confident it will confirm that we are providing good-quality social care for the people of County Durham and that we are moving in the right direction.''

Mr Kemp said the work of social services could not be viewed in isolation.

He said: "Our work must be seen in the context of the council's aim of promoting safe, strong and healthy communities.

"The independence of vulnerable people depends as much on their safety and security and the quality of support they receive from neighbours, relatives and friends, as it does on the intervention of health and social care agencies.'