New child protection guidelines have been published by the Scottish executive to help children living with parents who abuse drugs and alcohol, writes Nicola Barry.

The guidance, ‘Getting Our Priorities Right’, is designed to help professionals working with up to 160,000 Scottish children living with parents who have drug or alcohol problems.

The guidance provides advice to children's services as well as criminal justice agencies on how to identify problems which are threatening a child’s well-being.

Cathy Jamieson, minister for education and young people, said: "Our recent child protection review showed we needed to take action to stop vulnerable children falling through gaps in provision.

"This new guidance stresses that agencies must work together across Scotland to improve joint working and information sharing."

The guidance is available here