THE PUBLIC must make sure a tragedy like the Baby P case doesn’t happen in Falkirk. In the wake of the death of the 17-month-old Harringay toddler, who suffered horrible abuse at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and lodger, Falkirk Council’s social work boss said child protection will always be a priority.

A fresh war of words broke out last night over Aberdeen City Council’s budget crisis after new figures revealed that the authority overspent its education and social work budgets by £220million over the last 10 years.

A review of Scotland’s guidance to local authorities on child protection has been launched following a recent damning inspection report into services in Aberdeen.

A report into social work services in Falkirk has made 15 recommendations to improve the service. The Social Work Inspection Agency said the service and its staff had a good impact on the community, but said improvements could be made.

The women Frances Hunter works with are often facing a range of life’s challenges, from anxiety, depression or abuse, to mental health issues or dependence on drugs or alcohol.

Councillor Gerry Convery has officially opened the new community centre in Hamilton. The new £9 million Fairhill Civic Centre and Library replaces the old centre which was demolished almost two years ago to make way for the new high quality community, sports, daycare centre and library.

Parents living in a council housing scheme in Shetland demand urgent answers from Shetland Islands Council and the police after a paedophile was housed in the neighbourhood.

THERE is a risk child abuse may rise as economic gloom takes grip and local leaders have urged every resident in Perth and Kinross to help safeguard the county’s kids.

An investigation is under way after a man died in a fire at an Angus sheltered housing complex at the weekend. Police said the man, who was in his 50s and has not been named, died after being rescued at Blackfriars Court in Montrose.

Dumfries and Galloway need to make cuts of £12 million over the next three years to bring the council’s budget out of the red.