Children's home bosses have been urged to use more "gender-inclusive language" to avoid offending transgender patients.

As a result, the chiefs were told not to call residents "boys" or "girls" at all.

The Care Inspectorate confirmed that those employed at children's homes across Scotland must always use such language.

In guidance supplied to the homes, the report has said that the phrase "come on, boys and girls" was not considered "good LGBT practice".

Staff have been urged to adhere to 'good LGBT practice' (Stock pic)

Instead, staff should say: "Come on, everybody."

The guidance reads: "Try to create an environment that feels safe to explore identity, and enables young people to change their mind in future if they wish to do so."

Additionally, it tells staff to set up scenarios to allow children to say their pronouns - by employees introducing themselves with their pronouns, for instance.