A DUDLEY Council service for the disabled has scooped a national award for improving people’s skills and confidence.

The Queens Cross Network, run by the community opportunities team for people with physical and sensory disabilities, has been hailed as the best in the UK after winning the Putting People First Award, as part of the Great British Home Care Awards.

The awards are supported by the Department of Health and hosted by United Kingdom Home Care Association.

The service is based in Wellington Road, Dudley, won praise from judges for helping people into jobs which helps them take control of their lives.

Councillor Dave Branwood, Dudley cabinet member responsible for adult services, said: “This national accolade is a great achievement for the Queens Cross Network and one which is fully deserved.

“Through their innovative support services they have improved many people's lives across the borough and everyone connected with the centre should be very proud.”

In November 2012 Dudley’s dementia gateways service was the regional winner in the Great West Midlands Care Award. In November 2013 the dementia gateway service was highly commended in the national NHS Dementia Partnership Challenge Awards.

In June 2014 Dudley was hailed as best practice in a national publication from the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, for the council’s approach to tackling travel and transport issues facing disabled people.