ALL that the victims of Scotland's largest child abuse case ever wanted was an apology and for those responsible to take the blame.

However, they were disappointed yesterday when a report of the Edinburgh inquiry failed to blame a single social worker for allowing the abuse to happen.

The report's recommendations were welcomed by children's charities, however, who urged they should be acted on immediately.

The inquiry started after victim James Jamieson, who was abused by care worker Gordon Knott, confided in former Glenallan employee Kenny Spence at a chance meeting years later.

Yesterday Mr Jamieson said the report was ''to the point'' but added: ''It does not put anybody to blame for it and there is no form of apology from them.''

Mr Frank Foley was also abused by Knott while in care at Clerwood in the 1970s. He said: ''All this report does is blame the two people who were jailed. What about all the people who were in charge of these places, the social workers who did nothing?''

Mr Foley, who is hoping to pursue a compensation claim against the council, added: ''All they have looked at is what can help in the future. Obviously, what happens in the future is extremely important but it does not make me feel better.

''I feel the social work department have let me down as a child and are still doing it now. At the end of the day, all I wanted was an apology.''

Dr Anne Stafford, head of policy at the charity Children 1st, welcomed the report but said it was imperative, regardless of cost, that the findings were acted upon. She said: ''What we need to put in place are all the measures we can to ensure children's safety.''

She particularly welcomed the report's recommendation the council should call for a children's commissioner or a child welfare commission with a Scotland-wide remit.

The report also recommended that Who Cares? Scotland - an independent organisation providing support and advice to young people in care - should play a role in protecting children living away from home.

Director of Childline Scotland Anne Houston, said access to a private telephone, as recommended in the report, was a priority for young people in residential care.