GOVERNMENT inspectors have praised improvements in Worcestershire County Council's social services performance.

The department, which helps vulnerable adults and children, received a two-star "good" rating compared to its one-star "acceptable" award last year.

In describing the council's prospects of improving the service as "promising", the Department of Health assessors found that the council is performing especially well in helping older people to live at home independently.

"This is excellent news," said Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for social services.

"It confirms what I'm seeing on the ground - innovative and robust work with older people, helping them to live at home, ensuring they are able to return home from hospital as quickly as possible and ensuring delayed discharge fines are at a minimum.

"Our work with children and young people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, fostering, adoption and supporting children and families, as well as the vital role of protection, is also rightly being recognised."

Herefordshire Council also scored two stars out of a possible three, but the likelihood of it improving adult services was rated as "uncertain".