A SHORTLIST of 25 projects has made it to the finals of annual social service awards, the Care Accolades.

Nominees include voluntary, private and local authority services and a community health and care partnership.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), which runs the awards, said this year's finalists included a service helping prevent the breakdown of families when a parent is in prison, a project helping rebuild the social lives of people with dementia and a care home working with partners to cut unnecessary hospital admissions.

Professor Jim McGoldrick, pictured, SSSC convener and chairman of the Care Accolades judging panel, added: "The entries showed how inventive services are, often dealing with difficult issues but always focusing on the difference it is making to people using the service." Winners will be announced in Perth on June 10.