Children are still being subjected to harrowing courtroom ordeals because measures intended to protect young witnesses have failed, The Scotsman can reveal. An investigation has found a raft of recommendations to support children in court have not been introduced, five years after they were promised.

The number of girls involved in crime has increased by more than 40% in just five years. More than 4200 female offenders were referred to Scotland’s children’s hearing system in 2005-06, new figures revealed yesterday. That is up from fewer than 3000 in 2000-01, as increasing numbers of girls become sucked into a culture of fighting, drinking and thieving.

Tory Party chairman Francis Maude has held talks with two gay organisations in Edinburgh during a visit north of the Border. Leaders of Stonewall Scotland briefed him on reforms to adoption laws here which will allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly. And later he met staff and lesbian and gay activists at LGBT Scotland. Mr Maude’s brother Charles died of Aids in 1993. And earlier this year the politician criticised the homophobic attitude of the Thatcher government.

Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell, has given assurances that experts will be brought in to help bring about changes at an under-fire social work department. The Social Work Inspection Agency has reported a string of failings in social work services in Dumfries and Galloway. Galloway and Upper Nithsdale Tory MSP Alex Fergusson highlighted the “catastrophic” situation. Mr McConnell said action was being taken over the report but added that external experts would also be used.

Controversial plans to allow gay and unmarried couples to adopt children were backed by Scotland’s MSPs. The new legislation, which also provides more support services for adopted children, passed its first hurdle at the Scottish Parliament by 103 votes to eight following a passionate debate. However, Christian groups and a number of MSPs remained implacably opposed to adoption by gay couples, and said they will fight the moves. Peter Peacock, the education minister, said it was time to update the adoption process for the first time in 30 years.

The Care Commission has welcomed the announcement of three new members to its Board, believing they will play an important role in continuing the challenge of improving standards in Scotland’s care sector. Deputy Health Minister Lewis MacDonald has announced the appointment of Dr Anne Haddow, Ms Carol Paton and Dr Hamish Wilson as new members to the Care Commission Board. The work of the Care Commission is directed by a non-executive Board which is currently chaired by Convener Mary Hartnoll, who is stepping down shortly. It has 12 members, including three places reserved for people who represent care service users and carers.

{mosimage} Experts are to be drafted in to a council social work department to sort out serious problems identified by inspectors and described by an MSP yesterday as “catastrophic”. Peter Peacock, Schools and Children’s Minister, has secured agreement from Dumfries and Galloway Council it will take in outside support, after the inspection team found management and leadership to be weak.

The announcement was made at Holyrood yesterday by First Minister Jack McConnell, when questioned about last week’s damning report.

MSPs have supported a new adoption law for Scotland, allowing unmarried couples, including gay couples, to adopt children. Education Minister Peter Peacock said the move could boost the number of homes for children. At present, only married or single people can adopt. In same-sex and unmarried couples, only one member is seen as the child’s legal parent. The vote have sparked an angry reaction from the Roman Catholic Church. Joseph Devine, the Bishop of Motherwell, urged MSPs to vote against the move after the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland described it as “irresponsible”.

Too many looked after children are disadvantaged. Too often they are denied opportunities for a stable home life and access to good health and education services. But, with the right support, looked after children can overcome childhood adversity and lead successful lives, particularly where they are supported by adults who believe in them and have the skills to help them. These are the key findings of the Social Work Inspection Agency’s (SWIA’s) Extraordinary Lives report, a review of services for looked after children in Scotland.

School children should be subject to random drug tests under government-approved pilot schemes, Scotland’s leading expert on substance misuse said yesterday. Professor Neil McKeganey said the time had come to consider widespread drug-testing in Scottish schools in an attempt to challenge the “culture of acceptance” of drug abuse among young people.