BASW Scotland convenor Graeme Rizza has written to the first minister Alex Salmond urging him to help safeguard social work services from Westminster spending cuts and offer the same recognition for social services as is currently given to the health sector.

FAMILIES or individuals in Moray could be paid to take in and care for pensioners and disabled people, it emerged yesterday.

Moray Council is devoting too many resources to comply with the demands of Scottish Government inspectors, it was claimed yesterday.

A SHOCK report will reveal a huge surge in the number of Borders children deemed “at risk” and requiring safe placements provided by the social work department of Scottish Borders Council.

Billy Connolly has given his personal backing to a new campaign to encourage more people to foster and adopt children.

Complaints made by a Dundee man about the treatment his father received while in a Broughty Ferry nursing home have been upheld by Scotland’s care watchdog.

Five years after new Scottish mental health laws came into force, there’s a general consensus that the needs and wishes of people with mental health problems are being respected when it comes to their care and treatment.

Charities help those who are struggling but, as The Herald reveals today, many of Scotland’s 23,000 charities are struggling themselves.

Disabled campaigners will demonstrate today against MSP Margo MacDonald’s End of Life Assistance Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

The Labour group leader said on Monday night that “serious questions” have to be raised over Dundee City Council’s “hypocritical” decision to endorse a stand-up routine by a former drugs trafficker.