Six local authorities given lower star rating

Six social services departments across England are believed to
have been downgraded during the star refreshing exercise, the
results of which were due to be published, writes
Lauren Revans.

Three authorities awarded two stars in May and three awarded one
star are all believed to have lost one star in the latest round of
ratings, altered to include recent inspections and the 2001-2
performance indicator results.

Meanwhile, 12 social services departments were expected to gain
a star as a result of the new data. One zero-star department, eight
one-star departments and three two-star departments were all
believed to have been upgraded.

* Full coverage of the new star ratings and reaction
from affected councils will appear here at
www.communitycare.co.uk
 on Friday (15 November).