social services

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.

Clinical and social care governance is described as a framework within which Health and Personal Social Services organisations can demonstrate their accountability for continuous improvement in the quality of services and for safeguarding high standards of care and treatment.

Report making the case for life skills training taking a central role in the provision of support and services for people at risk of social exclusion if these services are to be properly effective. It discusses the correct definition of life skills and presents a case study of a project for homeless people which has incorporated life skills development into its services.

Briefing paper giving an overview of social work services in Scotland including an outline of the legislative framework governing social work services, key policy themes and the organisation and funding of social work services.

Summary of a literature review undertaken to establish the context for practitioner research and its impact on practice through identifying practitioner research carried out in a social services context.

In 2003 the Department of Health introduced a new qualification for social workers. Previously a diploma, for the first time the social work qualification became a three-year degree course, a move which reflected the difficulty and professionalism of the job. Also for the first time, universities and colleges offering the degree were required to involve service users and carers in the design and delivery of the programme.

Document reporting and discussing the results of a survey of mental health service users conducted to discover how isolated people with mental health problems felt, to determine the causes and triggers and how people overcome isolation.

This guide tells you about a report called National Guidance on the Implementation of Local Area Co-ordination. The report shows how local area co-ordination has helped people with disabilities across Scotland get better lives.

It also shows that local area co-ordination can help local councils to save money.

This report outlines the findings of a case management inquiry into the way in which a young man was placed by the Adult Placement Service in a family where he then seriously abused two children. The inquiry considers events in the areas of: response to the need for an emergency placement; care planning; and the Social Services Directorate's policy and procedures. Failure of the Leaving Care Team to carry out a risk assessment or pass on information about previous incidents to the Adult Placement Service are highlighted. Recommendations are included.

This leaflet summarises some key findings of the inspection of South Ayrshire Council’s social work services, which are set out in the full report published in September 2009.