SIGNIFICANT improvements have been made in a short time in child protection services in Moray, according to a follow-up report by inspectors.

The drug problem in Scotland is totting up an annual bill of almost £3.5 billion in social costs and money flowing to the black market, according to new Scottish Government research.

ABERDEEN City Council is planning to axe a further 600 jobs as part of its third wave of savage spending cuts, it was revealed yesterday.

Highland Council is linking with charity Barnardos Scotland to open a children’s home in the Inverness area that will stop youngsters having to be “farmed out” to other local authorities.

A new drive to help support and protect adults at risk of harm or neglect living in Scotland has been launched.

VICTIMS of child abuse at a Scottish council-run residential home are to receive £20,000 each and an apology from the local authority.

Two teenage girls who are believed to have killed themselves by leaping more than 50 metres from a bridge together had gone missing from a residential care home, it emerged today.

A council may pay £20,000 to every victim of a child abuse scandal at one of its residential homes. Proposals for the payment will go before a full Dumfries and Galloway Council meeting on Thursday.

COUNCILLORS are being given the chance to challenge an expert’s view that social work services in Perthshire “work effectively”.

STIRLING plays host to the 3rd Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival throughout October as part of Forth Valley’s contribution to this national festival promoting positive mental health.