This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8292688.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New child protection hub launched New child protection hub launched
(about 3 hours later)
A national child protection unit has been created aimed at providing specialist guidance for social workers across Scotland. A national child protection unit has been created, aimed at providing specialist guidance for social workers across Scotland.
The Multi-Agency Resource Service (Mars) is the first of its kind in the UK and will help staff dealing with difficult and complex cases.The Multi-Agency Resource Service (Mars) is the first of its kind in the UK and will help staff dealing with difficult and complex cases.
It comes after the death last year of Dundee toddler Brandon Muir.It comes after the death last year of Dundee toddler Brandon Muir.
He was killed by his mother's partner, Robert Cunningham, prompting concerns over the role of social services.He was killed by his mother's partner, Robert Cunningham, prompting concerns over the role of social services.
Children's Minister Adam Ingram officially launched the Stirling University-based Mars unit.Children's Minister Adam Ingram officially launched the Stirling University-based Mars unit.
He said its creation would allow those working in child protection to seek advice from specialists with "decades of experience" in the sector.He said its creation would allow those working in child protection to seek advice from specialists with "decades of experience" in the sector.
'Challenging time' The system is too concerned with 'fixing families' rather than always doing what is in the best interests of children and their futures Iain GrayLabour
He added: "There is no greater responsibility than the safety of our children and Scotland is leading the way on child protection measures, with the most scrutinised system anywhere in the UK.He added: "There is no greater responsibility than the safety of our children and Scotland is leading the way on child protection measures, with the most scrutinised system anywhere in the UK.
"Nobody can underestimate the difficult decisions which those working in child protection face every day in their crucial role which is why, where particularly complex or unusual situations arise, expertise or advice on successful approaches from far afield is now at hand.""Nobody can underestimate the difficult decisions which those working in child protection face every day in their crucial role which is why, where particularly complex or unusual situations arise, expertise or advice on successful approaches from far afield is now at hand."
The social work department in Dundee had been involved with 23-month old Brandon a year before he was killed by Robert Cunningham, the drug addict partner of the child's mother. The social work department in Dundee had been involved with 23-month old Brandon a year before he was killed by Cunningham, the drug addict partner of the child's mother.
A report into the tragedy found that the attack which led to his death could not have been predicted, but ruled there were weaknesses in inter-agency working.A report into the tragedy found that the attack which led to his death could not have been predicted, but ruled there were weaknesses in inter-agency working.
Mr Ingram added: "This new Mars unit will further help us build on the good practice across Scotland, allowing areas with shortcomings to learn from what works and drive consistency."
A wide-ranging examination of child protection measures in Scotland finished last month.A wide-ranging examination of child protection measures in Scotland finished last month.
Mars director Beth Smith said it was a "challenging time" for the profession.Mars director Beth Smith said it was a "challenging time" for the profession.
She said: "I look forward to playing my part in improving services by developing a community of expertise across Scotland. 'Most vulnerable'
"Part of my role is to actively promote good practice and I intend to build on the positive partnership work and child protection networks already in existence throughout the country." She said: "Part of my role is to actively promote good practice and I intend to build on the positive partnership work and child protection networks already in existence throughout the country."
Labour leader Iain Gray said the Mars unit was "well intentioned" but said the system still needed changed.
He added: "We are getting the balance wrong between leaving children with their birth families and removing them from harm.
"The system is too concerned with 'fixing families' rather than always doing what is in the best interests of children and their futures.
"Mars is about making the system work. We need political leadership to change the system."
Lib Dem education spokeswoman Margaret Smith said she hoped the unit would improve the inter-agency problems highlighted in the Brandon Muir report.
She added: "Ministers must go further and start to tackle the root causes of appalling child abuse cases like that of Brandon Muir.
"In his case and so many others, drug and alcohol abuse play a huge part.
"We know that across Scotland around 40,000 children are being raised by a drug addict.
"These children are the most vulnerable in the country. More must be done to ensure these children don't fall through the cracks."