FIGURES reported by civic chiefs have seen more than 10,000 young people receive the right care and protecting from harm from Hampshire County Council.

The authority’s annual safeguarding report, presented set out the standard of practice around protecting children from abuse and neglect within the council.

It is cited as being ‘one of the most positive’ nationally.

Councillor Keith Mans, pictured, the executive lead member for children’s services praised the work of social care staff faced with budget restrains and increasing demand.

He said: “It is incredibly reassuring to know that the safety and wellbeing of our most vulnerable children and young people is in good hands.

“It is this strong track record that led to the Department for Education calling on us to support the Isle of Wight and Torbay councils, in improving their children’s social care and education services.

“It is equally good to see that we are continuing to deliver positive outcomes for children across the board, in spite of the challenges of increasing demand for services and ongoing national austerity.”

Children’s services has reduced the number of children in the care of the county council, supporting them to be able to return home safely to the care of their family or adopted parents.

In the financial year ending in March 2017, the number of calls to Hampshire’s Children’s Services, from people reporting concerns about a child, rose by 11.9 per cent with 87,235 calls made.

Cllr Mans added: “Our children’s services department is among the top three per cent of the highest performing authorities in the country.”