child protection services

Vulnerable children: young runaways and children abused through prostitution

This consultation paper outlines why the needs of young runaways and children involved in sexual exploitation through prostitution are important and looks at the preventative work which is being taken forward to address the underlying issues which may increase a child’s vulnerability.

The provision of services to support children and young people is also discussed.

Analysis of external consultation on, and the Scottish Executive’s response to ‘Reducing the Risk : improving the response to sex offending’, the report of the Expert Panel on Sex Offending

This report analyses the responses to a consultation on the report ‘Reducing the Risk: Improving the Response to Sex Offending’ by the Expert Panel on Sex Offending. It also sets out the Executive’s response to the Expert Panel’s report.

Scottish Executive response to the report from the Education, Culture and Sport Committee on the inquiry into the need for a Children's Commissioner in Scotland

This report is submitted by the Scottish Executive in response to the Report from the Education, Culture and Sport Committee on the Inquiry into the Need for a Children’s Commissioner in Scotland.

Report of the case management inquiry

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.

SCIE Report 19: Learning together to safeguard children: developing a multi-agency systems approach for case reviews

Children’s safety and welfare are key concerns in all countries, with continual efforts being made to improve child welfare and child protection services. Learning is central to these endeavours so that problems and their solutions can be identified. However, it has been questioned as to whether current learning approaches are adequate for the task. In light of this, SCIE presents a ‘systems’ model of organisational learning that can be used across agencies involved in safeguarding and child protection work.

Growth and development: national overview

This is the second annual report prepared by the Chief Social Work Inspector. Completed in 2002, it includes a national overview of social work services across Scotland and short reviews of services in each of the 32 councils.

The annual report is based on analyses, carried out by a small Inspectorate team, of existing data, plans, reports and reviews. The team also visited all 32 authorities and had full discussions with senior officials.