A new system is to be developed to help child protection agencies in Scotland share information, it was announced today.

DUMFRIES and Galloway Council has been given a rating of “very good” for its provision of fostering and adoption services.

HE TOOK half a day to die. Brandon Muir, a fortnight shy of his second birthday, lasted 12 hours after a fatal blow from his mother’s boyfriend. He was to spend his final hours standing, punished, against a wall; then propped up against a toilet as adults partied; and, finally, lying cold and alone under a coat on a settee.

The role of two brothers in a plan to increase care home fees has embroiled the umbrella organisation for Scotland’s councils in a conflict of interest row.

Care charges for elderly and mentally-ill residents at homes in the north and north-east are to go up by 33%, it emerged yesterday.

AN OUTBREAK of salmonella at Leys Park Care Home for the elderly, Dunfermline, which affected two residents and a member of staff, is being investigated.

When children die in tragic circumstances, such as the case of Brandon Muir, people are quick to point the finger at social workers.

SOCIAL workers report more suspected cases of child neglect and abuse in the Capital than anywhere else in Scotland.

AS bids are considered this week from private operators for a large chunk of the home care currently delivered by Scottish Borders Council, a trade union boss has urged the local authority not to make decisions based purely on cutting costs.

Alex Salmond risked pre-empting the inquiries into the Brandon Muir case yesterday when he told MSPs that social workers were not to blame for the child’s death.