The report rates councils on adult and child social services

The Department of Health's performance ratings show just 16 out of the 150 councils in the country are providing "excellent" services.

Eight councils have been classed as failing. Three of these have seen services decline over the past year.

Ministers have insisted services are getting better but acknowledged there is "room for improvement".

Star ratings

The report uses hotel-style star ratings to grade councils on the social services they provide to adults and children.

These include home help for the elderly and child protection measures.

Zero star councils Bedfordshire Birmingham Bromley Cumbria Oldham Plymouth Swindon Waltham Forest A tale of two councils

The report shows that while services have improved in most areas over the past year, they are getting worse in others.

Sixteen councils now have the top-rating of three stars. This is up from 11 last year.

A total of 74 councils were awarded two stars - up from 52 last year.

This leaves 52 councils with one star and eight with no star. Last year, 12 councils had no star.

However, services deteriorated at six councils over the past year. These include Cumbria, Oldham and Plymouth. They have no stars and are all now classed as failing.

Social services in East Sussex have improved the most over the past 12 months, according to the report.

The council has been awarded two stars this year. This compares with a zero star rating last year.

Worst performers

The worst performing councils are arguably Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Bromley, Swindon and Waltham Forest. Having come bottom of last year's tables, they failed to receive any stars again this year.

Three star councils Bexley Blackburn and Darwen Bolton Cornwall Derbyshire Kensington & Chelsea Kent Kingston upon Thames Kirklees Knowsley Leicestershire Newcastle upon Tyne North Lincolnshire Sunderland Wandsworth Westminster

The report suggests some of these will come bottom again next year because their prospects of improving are poor or uncertain.

Health Secretary John Reid insisted progress has been made.

"Services for adults and children have improved significantly," he said.

Averil Nottage, acting chief inspector of social services, agreed. "Services for both adults and children are getting better," she said.

Children's Minister Margaret Hodge acknowledged that more needed to be done.

"Children and adult services are not improving at the same pace," she said.

"I want to see councils giving greater priority to improving the life chances of our most vulnerable children."

Andrew Cozens, president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, said the report was a "pat on the back" for social services staff.

"It is important to remember that behind each of these ratings lie cared-for families, protected children, elderly or disabled or mentally ill people who have had the care and services which they are entitled to."

Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of the Local Government Association, said councils would continue to strive to improve their services.

"There is still much work to be done," he said.