Recent news items

Links to recent media reports of interest to the informed social care professional are displayed here.

Criminal justice, law and rights

20 October 2008
The BBC has reported that eight out of ten parents think smacking is neither useful nor effective.
For more information visit the BBC Scotland website - www.bbc.co.uk/Scotlandnews.
To read the full report search for Parenting practices and support in Scotland in the reSearchWeb database.

20 October 2008
The Scotsman has reported that research has found that women suffering domestic violence are scared to leave their abusive partners for fear of what they will do to their pets.
For more information visit the Scotsman website - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com.

20 October 2008
The Courier has reported that Tayside MAPPA’s first annual report suggests a successful first year, with only three out of Tayside’s 266 convicted sex offenders on its books re-offending.
For more information visit the Courier website - www.thecourier.co.uk.

21 October 2008
The Scotsman has reported that the findings of the first year of Mappa (multi-agency public protection arrangement) in Scotland have revealed that the vast majority of Scotland's 3,000-plus registered sex offenders were complying with requirements.
For more information visit the Scotsman website - http://news.scotsman.com.
Find out more about the Mappa reports by searching the reSearchWeb database.

24 October 2008
Holyrood.com has reported that the Scottish Government has announced extra funding to speed up community service placements.
For more information visit the Holyrood.com website - www.holyrood.com.

5 November 2008
The Scotsman has reported that Chief Inspector of Prisons has said that sending children to adult jails in Scotland should be abolished.
For more information visit the Scotsman website - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com

Families, children and young people

27 October 2008
Holyrood.com has reported that the Fostering Network Scotland has found that the children of foster parents need to be better supported, both for their own sake and to guarantee the success of a foster child being placed in their family.
For more information visit the Holyrood.com website - www.holyrood.com.
Search the reSearchWeb database to download the full report - 'Forgotten Voices'.

28 October 2008
Holyrood.com has reported that the Children's Minister has responded to a survey by Parenting Across Scotland, which found over two-thirds of participants were unaware of groups that could offer parental support, by stressing that there is help out there for parents.
For more information visit the Holyrood.com website - www.holyrood.com.
Search the reSearchWeb database to download and read the full survey report from Parenting Across Scotland.

7 November 2008
The Scotsman has reported that several councils in Scotland are considering not allowing smokers to adopt or foster.
For more information visit the Scotsman website - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com.

Health

20 October 2008
The BBC has reported that research has suggested that the average age of death in Britain varied between 66 in Easterhouse, Glasgow, and 80 in Eastbourne, Sussex.
For more information visit the BBC website - www.bbc.co.uk/Scotlandnews.

31 October 2008
Holyrood.com has reported that the Health and Sport Committee has found that Scotland's less wealthy areas need greater access to GP services.
For more information visit the Holyrood.com website - www.holyrood.com.

Housing

20 October 2008
The Courier has reported that Perth and Kinross council has admitted that it is dealing with a 'homelessness crisis'.
For more information visit the Courier website - www.thecourier.co.uk.

3 November 2008
The Courier has reported that Action for Children Scotland has opened a new homeless unit in Dundee.
For more information visit the Courier website - www.thecourier.co.uk.

Mental health and mental health care

18 October 2008
The Courier has reported that development of a dementia strategy for the Dundee.
For more information visit the Courier website - www.thecourier.co.uk.

Physical and learning disabilities

28 October 2008
The Scotsman has reported that HM Inspectorate of Education has found that there is a shortage of specialist teachers for children with dyslexia.
For more information visit the Scotsman website - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com.

Poverty

10 November 2008
Holyrood.com has reported that research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that the last three years have seen no improvement in the level of child poverty in Scotland.
For more information visit the Holyrood.com website - www.holyrood.com.
Search the reSearchWeb database to download the Findings report on 'Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Scotland'

Social care services

1 November 2008
The Courier has reported that Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that he was 'shocked' about Fife Council review of home care charges.
For more information visit the Courier website - www.thecourier.co.uk.

Substance misuse

2 November 2008
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has reported that researchers have suggested binge-drinking may result in an increase in the incidence of dementia.
For more information visit the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities website - www.learningdisabilities.org.uk.

10 November 2008
The Scotsman has reported that more children are being caught drinking in rural areas than in cities.
For more information visit the Scotsman website - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com.

Vulnerable adults

29 October 2008
Holyrood.com has reported that the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, which aims to give vulnerable adults greater support and protection has come into force.
For more information visit the Holyrood.com website - www.holyrood.com.