THE private team brought in to transform children's services in the Potteries is starting to make "rapid progress", despite overestimating some achievements.

But Ofsted says provision is still only "adequate" overall because a few issues, such as the high rate of teenage pregnancies and inconsistent education standards, remain a concern.

The findings are contained in an annual performance assessment (APA) looking at the work of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, its private partner Serco, and other key agencies.

It covers the period from April 2007 to March 2008 – the first year since Serco took over the strategic management of education and children's social care in the city.

The biggest improvements have been in child protection work, with all 'at risk' youngsters allocated to a qualified social worker and their cases reviewed on time. Young people awaiting adoption are also benefiting from a speedier process.

But children in care still need more stable placements.

Ofsted says the council's capacity to improve children's and young people's services is good and it praises the "positive leadership" of Serco.

Councillors are also providing "effective" leadership and are "rigorous" in their monitoring of the council's corporate parenting role.

But in its assessment of its own work, the local authority has underestimated a number of weaknesses and "over-valued" the areas where progress has been made.

Roger Ibbs, pictured, the council's portfolio holder for children and young people's services, said he would take the report's findings on board.

He added: "We are pleased that the hard work we, and our partners, have undertaken over the past 12 months to improve safeguarding has been recognised."

The APA paints a mixed picture of education in Stoke-on-Trent. Ofsted says 11-year-olds are making faster improvements in Sats than the national average.

There is also good provision for early years and in special schools.

Yet despite an increase in Potteries teenagers gaining at least five good GCSE passes, including English and maths, the city's schools have not kept pace with national improvements.

Other areas of concern include education standards reached by seven-year-olds and 14-year-olds, along with the number of school leavers who drop out of the system, failing to go on to education, employment or training.

The APA praises the range of vocational education opportunities for teenagers and the above average success rates for people completing apprenticeships. Teenagers at risk of being sucked into crime are also getting good preventative support.

The report says: "Children and young people in Stoke believe that the council listens to their views."

Among the strengths in health provision are mental health services. But there are still high rates of teenage pregnancies, high infant mortality rates, and below average numbers of mothers choosing to breast-feed their babies.