HOUSING and homelessness services provided by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District councils have been recognised by as one of the country’s top performers.

The local authorities were given a score of 80 per cent by the National Practitioner Support Service, putting them in the top eight nationally and one of the highest scorers in the South East.

The two councils recently took part in a review of their frontline housing services which are operated on a shared basis.

The review checked that the advice and support residents receive is provided in a targeted, effective and efficient way.

The councils’ high score follows recent improvements they have made to their housing and homelessness support services.

This includes launching a new phone service for vulnerable residents, ensuring the same council officer retains responsibility for individual cases for up to a year, and introducing a new online self-help service for housing information and advice.

Elizabeth Gillespie, cabinet member for housing at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: "The high score we achieved in this review reflects the important changes we have made to our housing and homelessness support services.

"This has put us in a much better position to provide people with the help and advice they need at the earliest possible opportunity."

Support for the homeless in Oxfordshire is under threat due to funding cuts.

The county council, responsible for adult social care, has reduced its funding by £1.5m over the next three years.

More than 200 beds for the homeless are set to go when Simon House Hostel in Oxford, and Julian Housing in Abingdon, are 'decommissioned' by April 2018.

The National Practitioner Support Service is a government-funded organisation which supports local authorities to improve their housing options and intervention services.