The opposition SNP group complained yesterday that Highland Council’s home care and personal care services were being “privatised” by the multi-party coalition running the authority.

COUNCILLORS will hear today that health and social services in the Borders are sitting on a time bomb because of a dramatic predicted increase in the number of elderly people in the region.

A specialist unit set up to investigate and prosecute Scotland’s most serious sex crimes has been involved in 100 cases since it began work last month.

Aberdeen City Council’s chief executive yesterday backed calls for a national inquiry into child protection services, despite government inspectors hailing “significant improvements” at the authority.

A UNIVERSITY recently celebrated the success of one of its innovative new training programmes. As part of the 2009 Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Awareness Week which ran at the beginning of the month, University of the West of Scotland (Dumfries Campus), NHS Dumfries and Galloway, User and Carer Involvement and Alzheimer Scotland teamed up to host a lunchtime seminar in Browne House at the Dumfries Campus.

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie will call for the contribution made by social workers and social carers to improving the lives of people across Scotland to be properly recognised as she hosts a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

A top councillor is being investigated by Aberdeen City Council amid “serious” allegations of financial irregularities. Deputy Liberal Democrat group leader Scott Cassie is the subject of a local authority inquiry, launched following claims of irregularities.

A SOCIAL worker suspended by bosses while they investigated claims he performed a disgusting sex act on himself in front of a terrified mum has quit just days before a disciplinary meeting.

Aberdeen City Council has 98 full-time social work vacancies, including 22 in children’s services, according to the latest official figures released yesterday.

Scotland’s councils have been handed an extra £5.5million so criminals who have been given community service start work sooner after being sentenced.