'Mixed picture' in major review of children's care services

CARE services for children and elderly people in Scotland must improve, experts say.

A four-year social work review of the country's 32 local authorities revealed a "mixed picture" as services cope with rising demands and a squeeze on resources.

The report, Improving Social Work in Scotland, found large increases in the number of young children being looked after in services that "varied widely".

There were inconsistent approaches to risk assessment and the threshold for intervention across authorities – but children said they were mostly happy with their care. The report described a lack of planning for long-term security in children's services, which cost 705 million in 2007-8.

Elderly care services, which account for almost half of social work spending, were also varied.

Tam Baillie, Scotland's commissioner for children and young people, said: "I am concerned at the general lack of consistency in terms of service responses to children. For instance, while there has been an increase in the number of looked-after children at a national level, there were significant differences in the trends between areas. I agree with the report that this requires further investigation."

Children's minister Adam Ingram said: "Clearly there is further work to be done to ensure that wherever people live they get the highest possible standard of care and support."