YOUNG people in the county are being given some of the best services in the country, according to a report by independent inspectors.

The standards of both education and social care services provided by Kent County Council have achieved top ratings in an annual assessment carried out by social services inspectors and Ofsted.

The assessment examines the standard of services under four main headings: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving and making a positive contribution.

It covers issues like how well children in care are looked after; policies to deal with bullying, classroom standards and school attendance.

In the three areas officially graded by inspectors, KCC was rated good in both children’s services - primarily education - and its social care. t was graded excellent when it came to the council’s ability to do even better in the future.

KCC’s managing director for children, families and education Graham Badman, said: "This year’s results reflect the enormous amount of hard work going on not only within KCC but also with our partner agencies and schools.

"Making sure that every young person living in the county has access to the very best services and ensuring they can achieve their potential whatever their social background remains a key priority."

Inspectors found that there were now fewer areas that needed to improve than when they reported last year.

Among areas where KCC needs to do more is improving school attendance and ensuring boys do better in tests taken when they are 11.

* KCC has set out how it intends to improve services in its Children and Young People’s Plan. It can be found on the county council’s website, www.kent.gov.uk/kcypp or by phoning 08458 247247.