Young people in the area who may have gone through residential accommodation will be able to give evidence at an inquiry next year.

Rowanlea children’s care home, in Johnstone, and the Paisley-based Kibble Education Centre will both take part in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).

Details of abuse are set to be outlined as part of an investigation into residential accommodation for young offenders and children in need of protection.

As well as hearing from survivors, the inquiry team is urging people to get in touch if they worked at either council-run Rowanlea, formerly known as Newfield, or Kibble, which continues to operate as a child and youth care charity.

Lady Smith, who is chairing the inquiry, said: “Many people have already come forward and we are making good progress with our investigations.

“We would encourage anyone with relevant information to get in touch with the inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.

“We are particularly keen to hear from former residents, former staff, managers and those involved in inspections.”

Public hearings into abuse at Rowanlea and Kibble, as well as similar facilities elsewhere in Scotland, are due to start in the second half of next year.

The inquiry will hear evidence from those connected to residential establishments used as approved schools, List D schools, secure accommodation, remand homes or assessment centres, as well as borstal and remand institutions, detention centres and young offenders’ institutions run by the Scottish Prison Service.

Anyone who has information about abuse at these facilities between 1930 and 2014 is asked to come forward.

The inquiry will explore the nature and extent of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including consideration of the use of corporal punishment, restraint and segregation.

The reporting of abuse and the impact of abuse form part of SCAI’s investigations, as do staff recruitment, training and culture.

Anyone who would like to take part in the inquiry can call the witness support team on 0800 0929 300, email talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot or write to SCAI, PO Box 24202, Edinburgh EH7 9EA.

A spokesperson for Kibble said: “We very much welcome the fact that the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is happening and we will, of course, be cooperating with the Inquiry's ongoing investigation.”