A BORDERS care home for children has been congratulated for winning a national social services award.

Wheatlands House in Galashiels, Scottish Borders Council's (SBC) register home for children and young people, won the Scottish Social Services Award for Outstanding Residential Care Service for 2022.

The home was named the winner at a ceremony in Glasgow on November 9, where they were shortlisted for the award alongside Brucefield and Corporate Parenting Hub, Stirling Council and Wernham House, Aberdeen Cyrenians.

Members of SBC praised the home for its success at a meeting today (November 24).

Councillor Carol Hamilton, executive member for developing our children and young people, said: “We are already hugely proud of the staff team at Wheatlands as they consistently deliver quality care for young people in the Borders, having received ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’ gradings from the Care Inspectorate every year since 2012.

“This award truly reflects the commitment and professionalism of everyone who works at the home, as well as the positive outcomes achieved for the young people who live there, and they deserve all our congratulations on their success."

The annual Scottish Social Services Awards celebrate the efforts of social work and social care workers around Scotland.

This year's judging panel was "extremely impressed" by the quality of the service provided by Wheatlands staff for their young people.

Some of the strengths listed by judges included the highly skilled and experienced staff, how young people are involved in the running of their home, and the efforts made to reduce anxiety for young people during the admission process.

The team's dedication to residents, both past and present, was also praised, as former residents had received Christmas and birthday cards, and invited to join Sunday dinners and other special occasions.

Ms Hamilton added: "Everything they do is aimed at providing the highest quality care for young people in a safe, caring and supportive environment, so that they have the best chance possible of reaching their full potential.

“They continue to go from strength to strength and it is wonderful to see their hard work, commitment and dedication recognised nationally in this way.”