LEGENDARY Scots crime writer Reg McKay has died after a battle with cancer. The best-selling author and former social worker passed away yesterday with wife Gerry at his side. He was 56.

THE head of education at Glasgow City Council, who stepped down unexpectedly from her post, has walked away with a pay off of over a quarter of a million pounds.

TWO WIGTOWNSHIRE care centres for adults with learning difficulties could face closure. A proposal to shut four of the six Activity and Resource Centres (ARCs) in Dumfries and Galloway was made at a Council Social Services committee meeting on Tuesday.

Social workers have moved to take into care a baby born to an obese mother. The mother — who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the children — gave birth by Caesarean section last week in a Dundee hospital but was told within 24 hours that she would not be allowed to keep the baby.

A new specialist Rehabilitation Consultant has been appointed to act as a Scotland-wide champion to help older people live better quality lives.
 

Cuts in day care services for adults with learning difficulties are being considered by Dumfries and Galloway Council. The social services committee is to be told closing four of the region’s six Adult Resource Centres, cutting 30 jobs, could save £660,000.

STRATHCARRON Hospice children’s bereavement service won first prize at the NHS Forth Valley Celebrating Success Awards. Seventy entries were received and 14 projects were shortlisted. As well as receiving a glass trophy, the team received a cheque for £750.

The social work chief who was in charge of children’s services in Dundee when toddler Brandon Muir died has warned against an “overreaction” to high-profile child abuse cases.

TOP marks for its services for older people, children, and disabled people from key independent agencies – these are some of the highlights in North Lanarkshire Council’s Performance Report for 2008/09.

Private providers of care for the elderly have blamed Scottish councils for many of the problems revealed by a Herald investigation.