government publication

Child witness support

Consultation document that contains individual sections on a system of integrated support for child witnesses, guidance on investigative interviewing, the provision of pre-court therapy, the conduct of court familiarisation visits, the questioning of children in court, and a format for communicating information about child witnesses throughout the legal process.

Better health, better care: action plan

This Action Plan sets out the Scottish Government's programme to deliver a healthier Scotland by helping people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better, local and faster access to health care. The report is informed by the response to the consultation on Better health, better care: a discussion document (August 2007).

Health and wellbeing: reporting on progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons made by public authorities in Scotland - the Scottish Ministers' Duties

Report commissioned by Scottish ministers to enable reporting on progress being made towards equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people across the Health and Wellbeing ministerial portfolio.

Scottish Executive response to recommendations made in the report 'Moving forward: review of NHS wheelchair and seating services in Scotland'

The Scottish Executive welcomes the independent Review of the NHS Wheelchair and Seating Service, 'Moving Forward – Review of NHS Wheelchair and Seating Services in Scotland: March 2006', as a comprehensive critique of existing services from the viewpoint of users and carers.

The Executive’s response addresses the 40 recommendations. A number of linked/parallel policy initiatives which support the implementation of recommendations have also been identified.

Getting it right for every child in foster care and kinship care - a National Strategy

Scottish Government report on what needs to be in place to provide a truly child-centred response and approach to the provision of foster and kinship care.

It then considers what improvements are needed in the support provided to carers that will in turn enhance the quality of care provided to children.

Finally, it addresses the improvements that can be made to the quality assurance systems that govern these types of care.

Improving opportunity, strengthening society: a third progress report on the government's strategy for race equality and community cohesion - volume 2 race equality in public services: statistical report

Statistical annex to the third and final progress report on Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society the Government's strategy to increase race equality and community cohesion. It brings together the main findings for seven policy areas: education; the labour market; housing; health and personal services; the criminal justice system; perceptions of community cohesion; culture and sport.

National care standards: foster care and family placement

These standards were developed to improve the quality of care and service for those in foster care. The standards cover the following activities: recruiting, selecting, approving, training and supporting foster carers; matching children and young people with foster carers; supporting and monitoring foster carers; and the work of agency fostering panels and other approval panels. The standards do not apply to the services provided directly by foster carers themselves.

The societal cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland for 2007

Although alcohol is widely recognised as a major generator of employment and income from exports in Scotland, a considerable (and increasing) amount of harm is associated with its misuse.

The effects of this misuse – which are considered in this paper – are wide, and generate substantial costs not only for the health service, but also for criminal justice, communities, employers, and the wider Scottish economy.