Ealing Council has hit back at a report which said its adult social care services 'require improvement'.

The local authority has been slapped with the negative review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with it being one of the first to be assessed under the new process.

The report found failings with access to advice and support, and the length of time people were left waiting for an assessment.

Local services were given a rating of 56 out of a possible 100.

Following the review's publication, cabinet member for healthy equal lives Cllr Polly Knewstub said the council was "incredibly disappointed" with the findings and says it does "not believe it reflects the quality of our services, or the experience of the residents that use them".

"The inspectors identified a range of strengths including our effective partnership arrangements, safeguarding of vulnerable people, our person-centred approach considering their individual and cultural needs, our support for carers and our ambition to reduce inequality," her statement said.

"I was really pleased to see that they recognised social care staff who are proud to care for the people of Ealing, they are committed, knowledgeable and that there is a positive culture of learning and innovation; something I see every day from our brilliant adult social care teams.

"While this rating is disappointing, we have every confidence that our plans and our approach, working with our communities, will continue to build quality adult social care services that make a real difference to the lives of our residents."

The council also criticised the CQC report for providing what it said was "limited feedback about specific changes" to its services or the way it works.

 See the full CQC report here.