The SIC has approved a proposed increase in the number of long-term care places in Shetland but needs to identify where the money to going to come from.

NORTH Ayrshire Council has a new social work boss. Iona Colvin joins the local authority from the South West Community Health Care Partnership where she was director.

The people of Aberdeen have been asked to decide which city council services should be cut in the search for £120million of savings.

A helpline has been launched for parents worried that their children are becoming involved in gangs. Funded by a £30,000 investment from the Scottish government, it aims to ensure that adults have access to specialist advise about their concerns.

The Scottish Government has published the application form, equality monitoring form and guidance notes for the 2010 Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF).

A BRAND new dedicated elderly mental health ward has opened, thanks to a £200,000 cash boost. The Katrine ward received its first patients on Monday at the Vale of Leven Hospital, following concern over the age gap between patients in the Christie Ward.

Hundreds of people have marched through Inverness in protest at Highland Council plans to scrap five new care homes for the elderly across the region.

Some people are being “inappropriately” admitted to Scotland’s secure psychiatric units, a study has found. An NHS audit found some Intensive Psychiatric Care Units (IPCUs) had admitted unsuitable groups, such as dementia sufferers.

THE SNP opposition are calling for the chairwoman of Highland Council’s social work committee to resign if plans to build five new care homes in the region are scrapped tomorrow (Thursday), as expected.

A rehabilitation unit for people with problems including addiction and eating disorders is to be the latest casualty of cuts by the Church of Scotland’s social care council.