INSPECTORS have criticised the assistance given to people with learning difficulties in the borough.

The findings of an inspection carried out by Commission for Social Care Inspection in January were presented to Harrow Counci's cabinet committee on Thursday last week.

Lead inspector Jean Hanson said there was no doubt the authority deserved the lowest rating - poor - for one of three areas assessed, 'personalised services'.

The report read: "Managers had not joined up social care and health services to make things better for people with learning difficulties.

"Some people with learning difficulties and their carers felt they got a poor and sometimes disrespectful service from Harrow Learning Difficulties Team."

Inspectors acknowledged some disabled residents highly valued the council's services and that staff were doing their best with limited resources.

But they highlighted the lack of information for service users, out of-hours help or supported living schemes.

Harrow Council's corporate director for adults and housing, Paul Najsarek, who was credited by the CSCI for beginning to turn things around inside the department, told last week's meeting: "We know it's not good enough and we are pleased that you have seen signs we are are making progress."

The other two inspection topics, 'safeguarding adults' and 'capacity to improve', were rated as 'adequate' and 'uncertain' respectively.