News

• Directors warn changes to children's services in Edinburgh could worsen outcomes

Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire councils are planning an overhaul of their social work departments following major child abuse inquiries, writes Maggie Wood.

In Edinburgh, a report on proposed changes was due to be considered by the council’s executive this week, following the report into the inquiry of the death of 11-week-old Caleb Ness, who was shaken to death by his father. The report found that Caleb’s death had been “avoidable”, and social work director Les McEwan later resigned.

The four main options for change are: maintaining the status quo, creating a joint responsibility for children’s services between education and social work; creating a new department of education and children’s services while retaining a social work department; and establishing a new department of community services.

Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire’s housing and social work committee accepted proposals last week for a radical overhaul of child protection services following the death of 13-month-old Carla Nicole Bone, who was killed by her mother’s partner last year.

An independent inquiry into the girl's death found that the murder could not have been prevented by the agencies involved with her care, but urged improvements in a number of areas including the sharing of information.

A detailed action plan to address the shortcomings identified by the inquiry will now be implemented, including a review of assessment procedures and protocols used by the various agencies involved in child protection. New working arrangements for children’s services during evenings and weekends will also be considered.