Edinburgh Council's director of education Roy Jobson has been given interim responsibility for the social work department after the departure of director Les McEwan.

McEwan resigned after an inquiry into the death of 11-week-old Caleb Ness, who was killed by his father (news page 8, 23 October). Council chiefs have predicted it will take six months to find a replacement for McEwan.

Jobson, who has no social work experience, is chairperson of the council's multi-agency children's services strategy group.

Expressing concern about the appointment, Unison branch secretary John Stevenson said: "Social work needs professional leadership. The council must act swiftly to appoint a new director."