local authorities

This publication contains statistics on children who were looked after by or eligible for aftercare services from local authorities between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010.

Urgent action is required at national and local level in order that clear policies and systems are in place in every local authority to ensure that family and friends care arrangements are appropriately assessed and supported.

This good practice guide has been developed to assist local authorities in this task. It is informed by:

· Examples of good practice found in policies sent by local authorities in response to the FOI survey.

Annual report on crime and the impact of youth justice services in Glasgow for the period of 2009/10.

This report was commissioned by the Scottish Government as a result of concerns raised by the diversion working group of the Pre-Disposal Programme Implementation Board. The numbers of cases diverted from prosecution have fallen in recent years (2006 onwards) and it was felt there was a need to investigate the issue further.

To facilitate this, the Scottish Government requested that the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) undertake a small-scale research study on the use of social work related diversion schemes by Procurators Fiscal in Scotland.

Research shows that older people want and value low-level support - 'that bit of help' - but the benefits of investing in this are realised over many years, making it harder to prove impact and protect funding in the face of severe pressure on spending.

This short guide focuses on families with young children in rural areas and the implications for children’s centre commissioning and delivery at a time of change and new directions. It is of relevance to all of those playing a part in the commissioning of children’s services – whether local authorities or primary care trusts; private or voluntary sector providers; and those leading and delivering services on the ground.

Care Services Efficiency Delivery (CSED) developed this toolkit to help councils looking to introduce a new homecare re-ablement service or extend or improve an existing service. It has been developed as a practical project support to councils and builds on extensive work done by CSED in compiling a body of evidence on how homecare re-ablement services are helping to appropriately reduce the level of ongoing homecare support required; and working actively with councils to identify successful approaches, learning points and best practice.

Briefing that examines the implications of the personalisation agenda for NHS staff.

In 2009, the LGiU’s Children’s Services Network set up a special project in partnership with Practical Participation and other specialists to work with representatives from 30 local authorities. The project has provided useful insights into the mass phenomenon of social networking sites and the
opportunity they present for engaging young people in democratic activity.

This statistics release presents information on respite care services provided or purchased by local authorities in Scotland. Respite care is a service intended to benefit a carer and the person he or she cares for by providing a short break from caring tasks.