Home care firm takes on new staff in Borders

ILS provides care at home, mainly for older adults

A Clackmannanshire-based home care company is taking on 10 new staff in the Borders after experiencing huge growth over the past year.

Independent Living Services (ILS) plans to take on new care workers to cope with demand in the south of Scotland.

The Alva-based company has doubled in size in the Borders since July 2009.

ILS provides care at home, mainly for older adults, but also for adults with a disability, as well as support for children and families.

The firm, which has offices in Galashiels, has grown in part thanks to winning a major contract from Scottish Borders Council to provide care services across the region.

Staffing levels have increased from 40 to 100 over the past year, and the company now provides 2,000 hours of work per week, up from 1,100 hours in 2009.

The company said it should not be affected by expected council cost-cutting across Scotland.

Karen Paterson from ILS said: "There are cuts of course but there is also a drive across Scotland to keep people in their own homes rather than place them in residential care."