Scotland’s employers must plan for a flexible skilled workforce to be able to deliver high quality services in a climate of financial pressures and growing demand says a new report out from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the social services workforce regulator and sector skills council.

Carers and trade unionists have joined forces to challenge Glasgow City Council’s planned reform of day services for people with learning disabilities.

The number of youngsters contacting ChildLine in Scotland about self-harming has increased by almost 90% in the space of a year.

Standards in Dundee care homes fell last year and a prominent city councillor has expressed concern at the decline.

COMMUNITY Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham launched new services to help victims of domestic abuse in the Borders yesterday.

SOCIAL work spending in the Kingdom has already gone into the red by £4.5 million. And the cash crisis has prompted calls for extra funds as a “matter of urgency”.

Almost one in seven Scots (15%) are cutting back on spending at Christmas due to the tough financial climate, according to CHILDREN 1ST.

Two IRISS projects have got underway over the past couple of months and another is in development. Here is an update on the three: ‘Evaluation exchange’, ‘Reflecting on evidence use’, and ‘Imagining the future’.

CLOSING Haddington Sheriff Court could affect some of the most vulnerable children and families in East Lothian, a local councillor has warned.

A SOCIAL worker who spent two romantic nights with the mentally ill patient he was caring for has been handed a ­lifetime ban.