Strathclyde seeks review

The Scottish Office has been urged to reconsider the role of
social workers in child abuse investigations.

The call comes from Strathclyde, where social workers’
interviewing techniques were criticised in the Ayrshire report
earlier this year.

Responding to recent Scottish Office draft guidance on joint
investigations, Strathclyde says social work should move away from
investigating abuse. ‘The approach to child protection should be
fundamentally reconsidered before committing ourselves to the
investment required to implement the guidance,’ said depute
director Ian Gilmour.

* A hearing on the progress of the eight Ayrshire children, who
have now returned home, was due to be held in Edinburgh this
week.