New concern over child-protection services in Aberdeen

Scottish Government inspectors have again raised “significant concerns” about education and child protection services in Aberdeen.

A group of watchdog agencies have earmarked the two Aberdeen City Council services for inspection after identifying several “weaknesses”.

Major improvements were highlighted as well in a report to be considered by councillors next week.

The assessment was made amid preparations for the first major inspections of the services since a series of highly critical reports plunged it into crisis in 2008.

A shake-up of scrutiny rules mean the group – which includes Audit Scotland, the Care Commission and HM Inspectorate of Education – now publishes a risk assessment for each council before deciding on which areas to focus inspections.

Aberdeen City Council’s report has now been published and it identifies “no significant risks” in five out of eight services.

Financial control was found to be “much improved”, with the council said to have demonstrated “increasing maturity” in its ability to make difficult decisions.

Education was identified as a “high-risk” area, however, with attainment in schools “not improving and in many cases is declining”.

Improvements had been identified in the social work department following a major shake-up, but “risks to vulnerable children remain high” and there are “significant weaknesses” in the quality of the service’s data.

Significant concerns were also found within parts of the council’s housing department, particularly services for homeless people.

The bulk of the report was positive, however.

“Evidence now shows an improving leadership and performance picture and although the council still faces some important challenges, it is well aware of what these are and is managing the risks positively,” it said.

Council leader John Stewart said: “It does recognise that we have made some significant progress.

“It is broadly speaking a good study. This is a snapshot of where we are now and it begins to set out the next steps.

“I am not aware of any other council in Scotland having undertaken such a wide-ranging review of services.”