Dudley Social Services has been described as innovative in a health check into the standards of its staff.

The department has been told it now meets the standards set by the national Investors in People Award.

Chris Williams, director of social services, said: "To achieve and maintain this award the department has to demonstrate its commitment to developing its people and evaluating its activities to improve performance.

"This achievement is a tribute to all the staff who are working to help the department meet the challenges of modernising health and social care services."

The external assessor described the department as innovative and praised the involvement of staff in a wide range of initiatives.

The department was first awarded Investor in People status last year. The award is a national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people.