HILLINGDON'S Adult Social Care performance rating has fallen to one star- despite record improvements for local authorities across the country.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection downgraded Hillingdon's two star rating which it has held since 2005 citing the performance as being in need of drastic improvements.

The council is one of only seven percent of local authorities whose rating has deteriorated over the past year, and one of only 19 out of the 150 to attain the low rating.

The report suggests that the number of people with a learning disability in residential or nursing care remains too high and is 20 per cent above the London average.

It also states that people who have a disability are still waiting too long for major adaptations to be completed on their homes.

While the report suggests that a good number of people over 65 are helped to live in their own homes, the inspection considered that still too many elderly people have been admitted into permanent residential or nursing care, while more people who use council services need to be helped into employment.

The council also did not achieve its own target in providing services to carers, and the percentage supported is lower than average.

The study also worryingly suggested that not enough problem drug users are completing their treatment in the borough and resolving this problem should be a priority.

It is not all bad news with as it is recommended that the potential for the rating to be updgraded to two stars in the future is promising, if action is taken on its key areas of weakness..

It was judged that a good job is done of promoting healthy lifestyles, and a good job is being done of increasing involvement of those in hard to reach communities, with both the LINK and Asian Elders projects being praised.

Jeff Maslen, Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing said: "We are pleased that the report recognised we have promising prospects to improve and since an inspection in March, we have made significant developments, including arrangements for safeguarding vulnerable adults which had been identified as an area for improvement.

"The report mentions our improved consultation processes and residents' involvement is crucial, ensuring we listen to what people want and respond through better services.

"There are areas we need to improve and we are committed to doing so. One of the council's priorities is to make Hillingdon a borough with improving health, housing and social care and we are working towards delivering better services for our residents."