New performance assessment framework indicators show that only a quarter of local authorities in England reviewed all their child protection cases last year.
The statistics from the Department of Health for 2000-1 also show that one in every eight reviews were not carried out on time.
Three councils, Dudley, Sefton and Gloucestershire, failed to inspect all their children's homes, and 14 failed to inspect all their adult residential care homes - with seven not meeting their statutory obligation for the second year running.
Overall, social services departments are improving, with 18 indicators revealing better performance and only three showing signs of deterioration. The differences in performance between councils have also reduced for the second year in succession.
The numbers of looked-after children placed for adoption in the year up to April have increased by 9 per cent. However, only 30 councils achieved the government's target of 50 per cent of care leavers obtaining one or more GCSEs or GNVQs.
Indicators can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/paf
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Details of government consultations
02 October 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
