SERVICES for North-East children in care have been praised by Government inspectors.

Figures released yesterday by the Social Services Inspectorate recognise Hartlepool's social services as being among the best in the country.

Its report covers 37 areas ranging from adoption and children's homes to the care of elderly and disabled people.

It rates services on a scale of one to five, with one the lowest grade and five the highest.

Hartlepool came out on top for five services, and won four-star ratings for seven others.

Areas of excellence identified in the report are:

l a high degree of stability in children's placements;

l the quality of inspections of children's homes;

l a high proportion of adults with disabilities being helped to live at home;

l the 100 per cent provision of single rooms for those in residential care;

l the quality of inspections of residential homes.

Mike Lauerman, Hartlepool's director of social services gave a cautious welcome to the results.

"Performance indicators are just one of the barometers used to monitor how well we are performing," he said.

"In most cases, our performance is rated as moving in the right direction, which is very pleasing and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of social services staff."

Middlesbrough Borough Council was also commended in the report for most areas covered by its social services.

Councillor Eddie Dryden, the social services commissioner, said: "The indicators show improved performance in key areas and provide hard evidence of the commitment to quality which is the cornerstone of our working with service users, carers, and outside agencies.