Children in Knowsley are among the safest in the country according to Ofsted inspectors, who gave the local authority the highest possible grades in two key safeguarding children categories.
The Government-led inspection team assessed the overall effectiveness of the borough's children's services as "good" with "outstanding" features - and scored the authority top marks for their improvement in safeguarding and looking after children.
In 11 categories, the authority was rated "outstanding", 19 "good" and just three "adequate".
Inspectors said the strategic leadership and management of safeguarding was outstanding, with strong and visible leadership from the Knowsley Safeguarding Children Board.
The Ofsted report also noted several examples of services to prevent children and young people from being harmed.
One extract read: "Political and managerial leadership is visible and strong. Corporate parenting responsibilities are taken seriously and the engagement of looked after children and young people in strategic planning and scrutiny processes is outstanding."
Inspectors also praised the "outstanding track record of continuous improvement against key targets, including educational attainment, health and offending".
Damian Allen, executive director for children and family services, said: "I am delighted that Knowsley is the first local authority in the country to have its capacity for improvement rated 'outstanding' for both safeguarding and looked after children services. It is a testament to our intense work and focus on improving the services we deliver to children, young people and their families over the past few years.
"Our ethos in Knowsley is that all children deserve the best possible start in life, and we continue to work tirelessly to ensure this happens. It is therefore particularly pleasing that Ofsted recognised that looked after children in Knowsley are doing better at school and catching up with their peers."
