The dedication of staff working for Bradford Social Services has helped push the department into the top third in the country.

The department has been awarded two-star status in a new system of awards introduced by the Government - one of only 50 in the country to be chosen.

Staff picked out for praise include the district's residential workers, many of whom have worked hard to earn NVQ qualifications in their own time.

Inspectors found prospects for both adults' and children's services promising, and areas praised included work being done to help people in the community, regular reviews of the care needs of people and quick responses to calls for help.

A letter from the Social Services Inspectorate setting out the department's strengths also praised the care given to children in foster homes and its careful child protection work.

Social Services director Alison O'Sullivan said: "The staff are very pleased - it has given them a boost. It shows that by working together we are helping services to improve for the benefit of the people who use them."

But she said there was always room for improvement, and she added: "In particular, we need to develop more preventive services for both adults and children, and to improve our infrastructure and performance management systems."

Councillor Kris Hopkins, Bradford Council's executive committee member for community, said: "I am very pleased the inspectors recognise the good work being done in Bradford, and the annual performance letter gives us the detail we need to plan improvements to our services.

"The three-year service and financial strategy approved by the Council in February is the framework we are using to improve services.

"The dedication and commitment of staff and managers will ensure that every effort is made to continue to improve."