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The Scottish executive has announced radical plans to integrate all children's services, according to a symbolic joint announcement by education minister Jack McConnell and minister for health and community care Susan Deacon, writes Reg McKay.

In a new report, 'For Scotland’s Children - Better Integrated Children’s Services', McConnell said a ministerial taskforce would be formed to drive forward progress on integrated services. Guidance is to be published on the use of the £63.5 million children’s fund. Further guidance is to be issued on planning integrated services between social work, health and education services.

McConnell said: "We need to close the gap between those children who succeed in life and those who fall behind. To achieve this we need to find better ways of working together."

Deacon said: "Better services must be based around the needs of the child, every child and not around the needs of the service whether it is the NHS, a local authority or the voluntary sector."

Local authority social work departments, education and other services will play lead roles in the new direction. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities welcomed the executive’s plans.

Newly appointed Cosla president, Pat Watters, said: "Local authorities as well as sharing the executive's commitment are already moving to an integrated service approach, but more needs to be done.

"We must all work towards the aim of ensuring that the most vulnerable children in Scotland get the best possible start in life. All Scotland's children, no matter what their circumstances, should be given every opportunity to try and realise their full potential. They deserve no less."

www.scotland.gov.uk