SCOTTISH Tory leader Annabel Goldie was today due to call for charities and voluntary groups to be more involved in providing public services.

Social work services in some Scottish prisons lack direction and staff often have little idea how effective they are being, according to inspectors.

THE SNP have failed in a last ditch attempt to save Leslie House Care Home in Motherwell from closure.

A CHARITY that brings local news to blind people is facing a funding crisis. Kilmarnock and Loudoun Social, Recreational and Communication Services for the Blind has provided a ‘talking newspaper’ service for almost 30 years.

Moray’s child protection services have made significant improvements, a new report has revealed. Details of a follow-up inspection of protection services for children and young people in Moray were published by HM Inspectorate of education yesterday.

CASH-STRAPPED council chiefs on Thursday agreed to start charging some of the region’s most vulnerable residents for services many currently get for free.

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.