Lambeth Council has been praised for having a high standard of care for vulnerable children.

Minister for Children and Families Tim Loughton has written to the council to congratulate it on its 'outstanding' Ofsted rating, awarded for the way it cares for looked after children and for its safeguarding services for young people.

Five inspectors visited organisations throughout the borough, including Lambeth Council, NHS Lambeth and three major NHS Foundation Trusts, to determine the risks to vulnerable children.

It is the first time that any authority in the country has been judged outstanding in both these areas.

Mr Loughton MP said he now wants Lambeth Council to share the secret of its success in providing the challenging service, with other local authorities.

He said: "I congratulate all those involved in this very positive outcome. The fact that these services are so important to the most vulnerable children locally means that it is essential that they are delivered to a high standard.

"I am keen to encourage effective local authorities to share their learning on how to deliver improvement and change locally with other authorities facing similar challenges."

Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, said: "We are committed to providing the best possible care for children who are unable to live with their own family and children at risk of harm or abuse.

"These children rely on the council because they have nowhere else to turn, and they deserve nothing less than the best.