VULNERABLE children in Redbridge receive some of the best care in the country, according to a recent government report.

The Department of Health has released performance figures for England's 150 local authorities charting their success at caring for disadvantaged youngsters.

And Redbridge Council is placed in the top 15 best performing local authorities, alongside Kensington and Chelsea, York and Dudley councils.

Taken into account in the statistics are the educational qualifications of children looked after, the number of re-registrations on the child protection register, the review of child protection cases, and the percentage of children looked after in family placements.

Also considered is the percentage of children looked after with three or more placements during the year.

Redbridge's performance means that when Health Secretary Alan Milburn introduces a reward system for efficient boroughs next year, Redbridge looks set to be able to take more control of how it spends its social services budget.

Cllr Elaine Norman, cabinet member for social services, said that although the council was happy with its performance assessment, it would still be working to improve services.

She said: "We are very pleased with our rating. We have been improving constantly over the last two or three years. Now we are looking at investing more in family centres where people are helped with their parenting skills."

Redbridge Council is also celebrating a recent award of £70,000 from the government to help young people when they leave care.