THE reality of drug abuse among Scottish schoolchildren has been laid bare in a report that reveals more than 100 youngsters aged 14 and under admitted using drugs in Scotland last year.

People who use services and members of the public are now being given the chance to say thank you to the people who support and care for them or their loved ones.

Following consultation with the sector, the SSSC has now approved recommendations for the qualification requirements for managers of a Care at Home service. The recommendations were informed by feedback received throughout the consultation process, including an analysis of completed questionnaires, narrative responses and views expressed at regional events.

A dispute between two councils over an ill six-year-old’s care should never have reached the High Court, according to a report by social work inspectors.

The Scottish Government is to invest £4m in telecare so that older people can live at home for longer in Scotland. Telecare is delivered by electronic devices in people’s homes that support them to live independently when previously they may have needed hospital or residential care.

THE true cost of Scotland’s drug habit has been set out by a leading academic, who says a single addict sets the country back more than £60,000 a year.

A group of more than 40 charities has called for changes to radically simplify the welfare system. The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR) says people are often made to “jump through hoops” to claim meagre benefits.

THE final design for a care centre and supported housing complex at Carnoustie has been unanimously approved by Angus Council.

The Care Commission has revealed the findings of its first year of graded results for care services, providing the first benchmark of the quality of care provision in Scotland.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as part of Skills for Care and Development (SfC&D) has been relicensed by government as the UK sector skills council for the social care, children and young peoples workforce.