New homes where children who have experienced trauma or adversity can receive therapeutic care have opened their doors.

The state-of-the-art residential care houses, next to Forest View Primary School, in Lochwinnoch, will provide a vital service for youngsters aged between five and 12.

They are operated by specialist youth care charity Kibble, which also runs Forest View Primary.

Two houses have been built – one with four bedrooms and the other with five – and they have been designed to reflect family-based living.

Designed following years of research into therapeutic, trauma-informed practice, both houses bring the outdoors in, with everything from nature-inspired interiors to tactile furnishings designed to maintain a calm environment.

Each child is able to choose his or her own theme for their bedroom before they move in.

Both houses also have a living room, kitchen and dining area, as well as a sensory room to help children regulate their emotions at times when they may need extra support.

At Forest View Primary, which opened in August 2019, animals such as miniature ponies, dogs and tortoises are incorporated within the curriculum, with guinea pigs and rabbits soon to join them.

Children living at the new houses will also interact with the animals as a form of therapy.

Dan Johnson, clinical director at Paisley-based Kibble, said: “To have work completed on our new residential homes for the youngest children in our care is excellent news and we’re really pleased that we were able to move the young people in for Christmas time.

“The new Forest View houses, in line with the nearby school, have been purpose built and designed to ensure the highest standard of care and support is at the core of the service.”