Hammersmith and Fulham Council's children's department has been rated 'excellent' by Ofsted.
It was one of only 20 local authorities in the country given the rating during annual inspections by Ofsted and was an improvement on last year when it was decreed to be performing 'well'.
The inpection covered a number of areas, including schools, child protection, and childcare and health.
Councillor Helen Binmore, cabinet member for children’s services, was delighted, saying: “We have dedicated, experienced and professional staff across all areas including schools, child protection and health, and this will continue should our services merge with Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster councils.
“We have achieved this through an enormous range of activities including working with schools and early years to raise standards, delivering high quality social care services that protect children, working with young people to prevent them from offending and targeting support for the families that most need it."
The borough was singled out for its top-class work in education, particularly in secondary schools, with the report stating that 'by the age of 16, young people do better than in similar local authorities and did significantly better in 2009. By the age of 19, young people are increasingly better qualified than those elsewhere'.
A recent unannounced inspection of child protection services found ‘significant strengths’ and said that cases were ‘handled without delay, documented thoroughly, consistently assessed for risks to children’s safety and included the views of children, young people and their families well’.
Other areas highlighted as examples of good practice were schemes that prevent young people from carrying out crimes, show how to follow a healthy lifestyle and sexual health education.
Meanwhile, the authority has also become the first in London to become a 'Beacon' borough for adult learning.
Its adult education department was recognised by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).
Beacon status is awarded to councils which ‘promote and pursue excellence’, and takes into account inspection reports and other professional feedback. Ofsted rated the service 'outstanding'.
The Adult Learning and Skills Service provides courses from the Macbeth Centre in Macbeth Street, Hammersmith, along with another 21 schools and community venues across the borough.
There are more than 8,660 part-time adult learners of all ages studying in the borough’s centres along with courses for some 14-19 year-olds.
