Drifting “predatory” males are a worrying part of a complex cocktail of social problems faced by child protection workers, according to a leading social work chief.

Harriet Dempster is calling for a public debate, but she may not get it on her own terms. The head of the body that represents Scotland’s social work chiefs wants to see communities and ordinary people taking more of a role in issues such as child protection and domestic violence, rather than leaving the burden on social workers.

A senior social worker was suspended yesterday after he allegedly sent an obscene picture to colleagues.

SCOTLAND’S health secretary has formally approved the fourth of five options for the future shape of adult mental health services in Argyll and Bute.

Social work chiefs have denied allegations of a whitewash after a report out today concluded that the violent attack on a toddler by his mother’s drug-addicted boyfriend could not have been predicted.

Child protection workers in Dundee took three weeks to hold an “urgent case conference” into the case of Brandon Muir, the toddler killed by his mother’s drug addict partner, a report on the events surrounding the tragedy said yesterday. By that time, the 23 month-old child was dead.

DUNDEE’S DIRECTOR of social work Alan Baird said his staff have been exonerated by yesterday’s reports into the killing of Brandon Muir and that he will not resign from his post.

SOCIAL care services in Clackmannanshire are improving according to a report to councillors last week.

A social worker in Aberdeen has been struck off the register after a hearing into accusations she mishandled cases involving vulnerable children.

OPPOSITION councillors called for an investigation into continued overspending by Falkirk Council’s social work department.