A new Bill that offers greater protection to adults at risk of abuse has been approved by MSPs. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Bill will give new powers and a statutory responsibility to local agencies to investigate any risk of harm or abuse to adults living in care homes or in the community.

Death rates in Scotland are falling faster in more affluent areas than in poorer places, a study says. The Medical Research Council looked at census data and deaths over the last 20 years, and found the proportion of under-65s dying had fallen by a third.

Scotland’s leading child welfare experts have called for immediate and radical action to improve children’s wellbeing after the UK came bottom of a Unicef report on welfare.

A frantic hunt for a Selkirk pensioner’s missing wheelchair ended when social work chiefs admitted they had taken it from outside his home, writes Bob Burgess.

Mental health services in Scotland are losing out financially to other parts of the health service, according to a report published yesterday.

Health workers and teachers face a hike in pension contributions of as much as 42% on top-end salaries as a result of a deal struck between the government and unions.

Children as young as three are to be assessed for anti-social tendencies under controversial plans. A new review of persistent offending suggests the radical move could give children from difficult backgrounds a better chance in life, shepherding them towards a suitable level of support.

Tough new powers to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults are to be endorsed by MSPs. The reforms are partly driven by a case in the Borders where a woman was persistently abused by her carers.

Safe houses and support for victims of human trafficking could soon be established in Aberdeen. The city council is being urged to sign a declaration aimed at addressing the growing global social problem – described as modern-day slavery.

Councillor Danny Molloy is to resign from Midlothian Council after 30 years of service, in the wake of a damning report on the state of the council’s social work department.