Aberlour Options - Borders

Melrose

About Aberlour Options - Borders

Aberlour Options - Borders is a children and young people's care service located in Melrose, in the Scottish Borders. Operated by Aberlour Child Care Trust, a well-established Scottish children's charity, the service has achieved an average grade of Very Good (5 out of 6) from the Care Inspectorate at its most recent inspection in July 2025, reflecting a strong commitment to high-quality care and support.

The service provides general care for children and young people, delivered in line with Aberlour Child Care Trust's ethos of nurturing, child-centred practice. Families and professionals can have confidence that the service works to meet the individual needs of the young people it supports, promoting their wellbeing and development.

Situated in Melrose, a welcoming town in the Scottish Borders, the service benefits from a supportive local community setting, helping young people feel connected and engaged with their surroundings.

Last Inspection

31 July 2025

Care Inspectorate Grades

Care homes in Scotland are graded on a 6-point scale (1-6) across five key questions. Grades range from Unsatisfactory (1) to Excellent (6).

Wellbeing Support

How well do we support people's wellbeing?

Very Good5

Care Planning

How good is our care and support planning?

Very Good5

Setting

How good is our setting?

Very Good5

Staff Team

How good is our staff team?

Very Good5

Leadership

How good is our leadership?

Very Good5

View Full Report on Care Inspectorate

5 Questions to Ask on Your Visit

When visiting Aberlour Options - Borders, consider asking...

1.How do you support young people to maintain contact with their family?
2.What education and skills development is available?
3.How do you handle situations where a young person is distressed or at risk?
4.How are young people involved in decisions about their own care?
5.What does the transition plan look like as a young person approaches adulthood?

5 Things to Look For on Your Visit

When you visit Aberlour Options - Borders, look out for...

1.Does the environment feel homely and age-appropriate, not institutional?
2.Do staff interact with young people as individuals, not just service users?
3.Is there evidence of personalisation -- young people's own belongings, artwork, choices?
4.Do young people seem comfortable and relaxed around staff?
5.Is the atmosphere positive and nurturing, or tense and controlled?