AN INVERCLYDE care worker who helps children find new parents has scooped a top social services award.

Amy McKellar, adoption team leader with Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership, has been recognised for her commitment to supporting vulnerable youngsters.

She was honoured at the second annual Scottish Social Services Awards, winning leadership category for her innovative running of local adoption services.

Judges highlighted the way she had developed and improved services offered to birth parents and adoptive parents, offering more support to those who need it through the adoption process.

Amy said: “It was an honour to be nominated and at the event it was inspiring to hear of all the excellent work that is going on across the country.

“It was overwhelming to win the award given the high standard of all the finalists.

"It was a fantastic experience and I am looking forward to continuing to develop Inverclyde HSCP’s support to all of those affected by adoption with the amazing team I work with, Fran Hague and Sheila McTiernan.”

Inverclyde Council’s health & social care convener councillor Robert Moran has congratulated Amy on her accolade.

He said: “I am delighted that Amy’s innovation and hard work has been recognised on a national level.

“There is so much good work being done in Inverclyde by people who are committed to improving the lives of others.”

The awards panel commended Amy for her fresh approach to the adoption services.

Minister for childcare and early years, Maree Todd, who presented Amy with her prize, said: “The calibre of entries from across Scotland this year was outstanding and it’s been wonderful to see the vital and life changing work being carried out by so many impressive people and initiatives.

“I have been hugely impressed and would like to applaud everyone involved once again for the incredibly admirable work that they do.”