Swindon Borough Council is one of eight councils in England to receive a zero-star rating in the Commission for Social Care Inspection's report. The report questioned the cost of intensive social care for adults and older people, and stated that the borough was "not serving children well".
Here is the council's response:
Swindon Borough Council is judged as serving some adults well with uncertain prospects for improvements, and as serving no children and families well, with uncertain prospects.
Last year the result was serving some children well with uncertain prospects for improvement and serving no adults well with uncertain prospects.
All the categories inspected are equivalent to one star, except one, which states it is serving no children well.
There have been three major inspections of Swindon Social Services in the last 12 months, which have shown significant improvements, and that the management team, which started in July 2003, is taking the service in the right direction.
Grounds for optimism
The zero-star score for Swindon Social Services remains as the council has been considered as not yet demonstrating sufficient, consistent, sustainable improvements in outcomes for the people served.
The commission has told Keith Skerman, director of social services, that there are grounds for optimism in the improvements already put in place, and in the support from Kent County Council.
The following strengths and improvements were highlighted in the report:
We are now in the top quartile in the country for the health and education of looked after children. The percentage of looked after children being adopted, puts us in the top quartile. Services to support adopters are also commended. A significant investment into social services has shown vast improvement in Adult Services including the six residential care homes being registered. Positive feedback from customers Keith Skerman, Director of Social Services, said: "Turning Swindon Social Services around was always going to be a long term task, which we are determined to see through.
"We are confident that the improvement journey we have started upon will take the services to a position of strength in the next year.
"The Children's Services in particular, will be re-inspected in early 2005, and this will provide us with the opportunity to demonstrate the improvements required.
'Difficult times'
"The plans already made, the support from elected Members, and the added capacity brought in by Kent County Council, all provide the ingredients for success. We have been encouraged by the positive feedback from many of our customers and partners in the last year.
"The inspections have demonstrated that we have made good progress and we are hopeful for next year.
"I would personally like to say thank you to all my staff who have worked so incredibly hard through difficult times and will continue to do so."
Councillor Ian Dobie, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services said: "We have shown our determination since 2003 to improve Social Services, with the new management team, and additional resources.
"The recent inspection reports provide evidence of political consensus and support for the improvements planned.
"I thought we had done enough to move into one star and I am disappointed but even more determined to continue the programme of improvements." 
One-Minute World News 
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