Croydon Council’s adult social services have escaped the shame uncovered in other parts of the country, after being judged to be “performing excellently” during its latest annual inspection.

The Care Quality Commission gave the department its highest possible rating, scoring the borough as ‘performing excellently” in five areas and ‘performing well’ in two - putting it among the top 11 per cent among local authorities in England.

Services highlighted by the report included the POP bus which tours the borough delivering services to older people at home, and advice surgeries about benefits and health matters.

Inspectors also praised the Aztec Centre in Boulogne Road, where people can try out a range of mobility aids, and information supplied about how to cope during the economic downturn through the Croydon Crunch website.

The result is in stark contrast to the scandal engulfing eight other local authorities across the country, which have been told they must urgently improve their adult social care services.

One in four care homes throughout England were rated adequate at best, although 95 per cent of council scored in the top two categories overall.

Councillor Lindsay Frost, the council’s lead member adult social care, said: “This is another significant achievement for adult social services in Croydon.

“In partnership with health and the independent and voluntary sectors, the adult social services’ team is proud to provide an excellent standard of care.

“This report recognises our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible outcomes for the people of Croydon. We will continue to work hard to keep these high standards and to find new ways to improve further in the future.”

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