Social Services in Oxfordshire deliver a good service to children despite funding problems, according to a Government report.

The Social Services Inspectorate visited Oxfordshire Children's Services last March.

Its report praised the county's "excellent" social work practice and its "skilled and committed" staff, but said poor educational standards achieved by children in care was a major concern.

Inspectors met children in foster and residential care and found most were positive. But some children said they did not know they could see their own files, and had not seen a care development plan.

Inspectors also noted that acute recruitment problems in north Oxfordshire had damaged staff morale.

The report said: "We concluded that most, but not all people were being well served. Overall we noted high standards of professional practice."

Assistant director for Children's Services Phil Hodgson said the county council was pleased with the report.

He said: "I think it reflects well on staff who are working in a very tight financial framework."

The department has appointed a policy officer and has bid for £40,000 of Government cash.