Few areas of the law require greater sensitivity in their handling than allegations of child sex abuse. Such cases, badly handled, can be devastating for the child and for the reputations of adults who may find themselves wrongly accused of a crime which carries a particularly acute social stigma.

THE most important action we can take for the protection of children is to listen. Not listen only to the parts you want to hear. Not listen in order to get them to say what you want or expect to hear. But genuinely listen.

A resource entitled C.O.D.Y. has been created to allow young people in care understand what the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Code of Practice for Social Service Workers means to them and the people who work with them. The innovative approach was developed by young people in Dundee and Glasgow.

Charities organising outdoor fundraising events in Scotland could be prosecuted and fined if they do not follow a new code of practice being drawn up by the environment quango Scottish Natural Heritage.

Dundee’s Lord Provost today questioned whether society had lost its ability to care for the vulnerable following the tragic suicides of four young city men (writes Graham Huband).

The Scottish Government has unveiled plans to reduce crime by meeting the learning and skills needs of offenders.

Drug rehabilitation services in Glasgow would need to double in size to deal with every problem addict in the city.

Fire safety advisers should be regulated because their work is “a matter of life and death”, an inquiry was told.

A closure-threatened mental health ward has been evacuated after a fire at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria.

One hundred Kilmarnock College students were recently presented with certificates at an awards ceremony held within the College, to celebrate the successful completion of their Health and Social Care courses.