An East Ayrshire centre that supports young people has been handed a positive report by care inspectors.

Pebbles Care's The Paddock, situated near Ochiltree, provides 24-hour residential care to a maximum of two children or young people between the ages of eight and eighteen.

An unannounced visit by the Care Inspectorate was carried out last November, with their report being recently published.

The service aims to provides a familial environment where children and young people who cannot remain at home can be cared for in a way that allows them to experience a strong sense of nurture matched by clear boundaries and routines.

Care inspectors use a six-point scale when rating the facility. One is unsatisfactory and six is excellent. Overall, The Paddock scored four.

Children and young people's rights and wellbeing were well supported, according to the report - which was one of the main strengths identified.

The report read: "Young people told us that they felt safe in the service. The staff within the service had good awareness of the risks for young people.

"We found, however, that the service held various versions of written assessments of risks, with current risks not always represented on all.

"We suggested that the service considers a singular point of assessment to reduce the possibility of confusion for staff, or any potential risks being missed."

The report added: "The service championed the rights of young people seeing their families. Young people told us they felt listened to by the service on this matter.

"The service sought advocacy proactively to help address barriers to this.

"We heard examples of young people and their families coming to stay in the service too. Young people and staff valued this."

A full version of the report can be found on the Care Inspectorate website.