ANTHONY Miller from East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership has won a Scottish Social Services Award.

He came top of the pile in the category, Courage To Take a Risk, for his work with young people and their families in helping make positive changes in their lives.

Two other employees of East Ayrshire’s Social Work Service were nominated as finalists at the awards.

Sam Armour was shortlisted in the section, Bright Spark, which celebrates the work of young people in the social services sector who are excelling and making a real difference to someone’s life.

Meanwhile in the Untold Story category, Family Support Assistant Janice Millar was nominated by one of the people she supports.

A further East Ayrshire finalist was the team from Turning Point Scotland and Serco (Prisoner Support Pathways, HMP Kilmarnock), for their work in supporting people leaving prison.

Councillor Iain Linton, cabinet member for wellbeing, said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Anthony, Sam and Janice.

“To have three of our employees in the running for this year’s Scottish Social Services Awards was quite an achievement. I was also delighted for the team from Turning Point Scotland/Serco, as their work has such a positive impact.”