Watchdogs have praised Norfolk's adult social care team, awarding the county council's community services team excellent ratings in three areas.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), yesterday published its annual assessments into the performance of adult social care services.

In Norfolk, inspectors rated the county council's community services as excellent in three areas, the highest assessment available, while the remaining four areas were given a 'well' rating.

Improved quality of life, making a positive contribution, and economic wellbeing were all given an excellent rating.

David Harwood, cabinet member for community adult and community services at Norfolk County Council, said: 'This is a great achievement and I'm particularly pleased that the hard work of our staff to keep seeking improvements wherever possible has been recognised by even better ratings in this latest assessment.

'We're very much of the attitude however that there are always areas on which we can improve and we will continue to try our hardest to provide the best adult social care we possibly can.'

This is the last year the CQC will assess social care services for adults. From the current year, 2010/11, councils themselves will take more responsibility for driving and monitoring improvement locally, in line with the government's vision for the future of social care.