Qualified social worker Angela Constance has been appointed minister for children and young people in the Scottish government. The Livingston MSP replaced Adam Ingram in the post as the SNP formed the first ever majority government since Scottish devoiution in 1999.

PLANS to put services which try to help drug abusers kick the habit out to tender have been criticised, reports MIKE DELANEY.

A fee charged to process the adoption of children from abroad by people living in the Highlands could reduce.

A SCOTTISH council is facing the first legal challenge of its kind over a controversial move to withdraw funding from a support service for people with learning disabilities.

CONCERNS were raised more than eight months ago over a “very confusing” medication system at a care home where police are investigating the death of a resident.

Police are investigating the death of a woman who became ill at a private care home in Edinburgh. The 59-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Monday but died two days later.

GROWING concerns about the future of care homes owned by Southern Cross – including four local homes – have been further fuelled by a statement issued by care staff union GMB.

A PROBE has been launched into the death of a resident at a city nursing home amid “serious concerns” about its quality of care.

Youth organisations in Scotland face substantial cuts as they grapple with reductions in public spending.

The current difficulties experienced by Southern Cross, the UK’s biggest care home operator, raise important questions for the entire care home sector as well as the Government and local authorities. By Arti Poddar