The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has announced the key appointment of Professor Robert Pyper as Head of the University’s School of Social Sciences and Professor of Government and Public Policy.

A FORMER senior councillor has called for formal training to be given to Borders social work staff after the revelation that, in the first eight months of this year, there were just under 100 recorded physical or violent incidents involving social work staff on duty.

The number of criminals on the sex offenders register has reached a record high and those breaching the terms of their release has increased for the third year in a row.

The Scottish Government has agreed to match up to £1.5 million the funds raised by a charity appeal to help children in poverty.

Scotland’s foster chiefs have warned of an acute shortage of carers, as the number of children in care continues to rise.