A DRAMATIC fall in complaints made about social services in Lancashire is hiding the real trends, according to an annual report.

County council chiefs believe there is a growing trend of people unhappy with social services, despite a fall of 47 per cent in complaints over the last 12 months. An annual review has revealed 410 people complained about the department in 1996, compared to 773 the previous year.

But Social Services bosses believe the sudden fall hides the real picture and the number of people with grievances is on the increase.

County Hall bosses have linked last year's huge drop to massive changes in home care for the elderly which took place three years ago. The review of these services saw the number of people unhappy with social services soar in 1994 and 1995. The average number of complaints in 1992 and 1993 was 350 and Social Services chiefs are worried about this year's increase of 60 cases. They claim a better knowledge of council practices and how the complaints procedure works could be affecting the statistics.

Treatment of children and the elderly received the highest number of complaints from the public. Thirty four per cent of stage one, or informal complaints, were about children and 33 per cent were centred around cases involving the elderly.

Most of the people who contacted the council were unhappy with the standard of services and facilities. But 78 complaints were lodged because people were not happy with the attitude of and behaviour of staff.

Concern has been raised about staff behaviour in the past, but complaints in this category have fallen slightly in recent years.

A report on the annual review will be discussed at a social services meeting on Tuesday.

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