A MENTALLY ill man who stabbed his father to death was considered by carers to be a “gentle giant” who was incapable of doing harm, a critical report found today.

Hundreds of elderly people are being charged thousands of pounds extra for their residential care to subsidise others who are given free places.

A SENIOR city councillor has come under fire after telling care groups worried about their income that he “wouldn’t mind working for £12.65 an hour”.

Firemen took almost seven minutes to mount a rescue attempt after they realised pensioners were trapped in a care home fire that would kill 14 people, an inquiry heard.

A ground-breaking bid to criminalise the purchase of sex was launched in City Halls, Glasgow today.

A formal complaint has been made against a council’s handling of plans to shut its centres for adults with learning disabilities.

In April 2009, the Scottish Government passed the Regulation of Care (Fitness of Employees in Relation to Care Services) Scotland Act to ensure people working with children and adults are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

ALMOST 150 of Scotland’s most vulnerable kids have died in just six years despite being registered with the Children’s Reporter, we can reveal today.

THE City of Edinburgh Council is facing a soaring bill for drafting in agency workers to cover staff shortages in care homes, it emerged today.

Social work chiefs in the Highlands have appealed for home-care customers to be patient during a period of reform.