LABOUR’S social work spokesman Councillor John Syme has spoken of his concern following a further refusal by Dumfries and Galloway Council to commit to the future of Activity Resource Centres (ARCs) in the region.

The man in charge of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue when a blaze killed 14 care home residents told an inquiry into the deaths that the brigade could only give advice on fire safety when asked to do so.

The UK government’s decision to place the planned Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS) on hold for England, Northern Ireland and Wales has been swiftly followed by confirmation that a similar initiative in Scotland is to go ahead from 30 November 2010.

UNIONS are warning that frontline social work staff will be in the firing line for redundancies due to the financial squeeze, despite Scottish Government figures showing councils employ more social workers than ever.

New research indicates that enhanced disclosure checks give a false sense of reassurance as the majority of persistent and serious offenders are never even referred to the police or Reporter.

A NEW 48-bed residential care home is set to be built in Kirkcaldy. Plans for the home, which will be built on empty land north of Ostlers Way, were approved by councillors at Tuesday’s planning committee.

Victims of domestic abuse in Moray will lose out on an innovative programme to tackle the problem, it emerged yesterday.

The number of social workers in Scotland has risen to an all-time high, according to official statistics published today.

SPECULATION continues to surround the future of the Taigh Farrais care home in Forres. Rumours have reached the offices of ‘The Forres Gazette’ that the facility is on the verge of closure as Moray Council reviews its policy on provision of care to disabled people.

The body representing Scotland’s 32 councils has called into question the future of free personal care for the elderly.