The Care Quality Commission gave the department an overall score of 56pc following an inspection earlier this year.

It heard from people who were providing care for friends and relatives who said they were often made to feel "tokenistic" and "ineffective" by the council, and that the "strain they were under" was not fully recognised.

Norfolk County Council has been told it must improve its adult social care provisions (Image: Newsquest)

Chris Badger, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said: "Unpaid carers told us their assessments often felt tokenistic and ineffective.

"Some said they received little or no follow-up, and delays in support for the person they cared for worsened their own health and wellbeing.

"Ohers told us about the impact of caring on their physical........

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