The number of sex crimes committed across the north and north-east has risen, according to official figures.

Skills Development Scotland has launched the Flexible Training Opportunities programme, which will give Scottish businesses (1-50 employees) the opportunity to apply for up to £500 towards employee training costs. Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business.

Technology has become a necessary and everyday part of studying and working. Learning with online and mobile technologies: a student survival guide, is a new publication written by Janet Macdonald, Open University and Linda Creanor, Glasgow Caledonian University, which examines effective practice in learning, and shows how technology can support that good practice.

A NEW forum that will help health and care professionals in Shetland to find out what the public wants is being launched early next month.

A new integration unit for female prisoners has been opened at Porterfield Prison in Inverness.

The top social work job in the Highlands has been filled following the departure of the last officer to hold the post. Harriet Dempster, 58, is to take early retirement from her role as social work director of Highland Council at the end of next month.

Childhood physical abuse is associated with significantly elevated rates of heart disease in adulthood, according to new findings by University of Toronto researchers, published in this month’s issue of the journal Child Abuse & Neglect.

A former chief nursing officer for Scotland criticised a care home where 14 elderly residents died in a blaze for its complacent attitude towards safety, a fatal accident inquiry has heard.

A joke-generating computer programme created to help children with disabilities develop language skills has now been launched online.

Volunteer Development Scotland proposes a panel to collect evidence of mistreatment and abuse of volunteers.