Child protection services in North East Lincolnshire have won their first significant praise since being placed under special measures.

A report, from the second inspection of child protection services since four-year-old Grimsby youngster Phillip Martin was murdered, said the service was considerably improved since the previous inspection in September 1999.

Councillors, senior managers and staff were focused and pledged to improving services and practice, and there was positive consultation with service users, said the Social Services Inspectorate.

Inspector Peter Maddocks, said the council's strategy for improvement should continue to ensure good progress.

However, there were children experiencing neglect whose situations should be kept more closely under review.

The authority's child protection procedures were put under scrutiny following the death of Phillip, who had been removed from the at-risk register before he was killed in December 1997 by his mother Rhana Martin and her lover William Ward.

Welcoming the report, director of social services Peter Hay said: "It is the first significant praise for the child protection service and I do think it is a turning point."

And he praised the strong political commitment behind social services.

"We have had two years of well over £1m of investment each year, plus a large capital sum for major repairs to children's homes," he said.

Councillor Kelly Bradley, the cabinet member responsible for social care, said: "The whole review would not have been successful without the continued dedication and loyalty of social services staff."

Council leader Len Taylor added: "Last year this council set out to improve social services and made this one of our top priorities.

"I'm delighted at the progress shown and remain resolutely committed to continuing to improve this vital service."

Warning against complacency, Councillor Bradley added: "It is vitally important that the reason why this review came about is not forgotten - or allowed to happen again."

There is no recommendation of re-inspection for the department although, for the time being, it will remain under special measures.

Used courtesy of the Grimsby Evening Telegraph