Borders care services tightened

The council has acted on the report's recommendations

A Scottish council has tightened its care procedures to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults with learning disabilities, according to a report.

The Social Work Inspection Agency and the Mental Welfare Commission said Scottish Borders Council had improved following previous abuse cases.

Three men were convicted in 2002 of raping and torturing a woman with learning difficulties.

The council said its care services were now among the best in Scotland.

The report looked at how Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders and their partners had responded to 33 recommendations made in May last year to protect vulnerable adults.

We found strong leadership for the drive to protect vulnerable adults with learning disabilities and make sure they are safe Dr Donald Lyons Mental Welfare Commission

Inspectors found there had been substantial progress in implementing the recommendations.

Service improvements include a training programme on the protection of vulnerable adults and social workers keeping much better records in learning disability cases.

Inspector Alexis Jay said the council had learned from past mistakes, adding: "Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders and their partner organisations have demonstrated a real commitment to improving the services offered to the most vulnerable adults and ensuring that they learn from the past."

Dr Donald Lyons, director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, said sufficient improvements had been made to protect vulnerable people.

Men jailed

He added: "We found strong leadership for the drive to protect vulnerable adults with learning disabilities and make sure they are safe.

"Having two colleagues who have learning disabilities and one who is a carer on the inspection team made a huge difference."

A woman in Newtown St Boswells was abused, tortured and sexually abused by her carer and two other men for several months in 2002.

Peter Peacock warned against complacency

It later emerged that social workers had been warned that the woman was at risk.

James Mercer, 35, Ross Douglas, 26, and Alexander Maben, 39, were jailed for a total of 24 years.

Council chief executive David Hume said the council and NHS Borders responded to the report with "rigorous far-reaching action plans" to improve practice and assure people who used the services they were in safe hands.

"I believe that this inspection has been very thorough and service users and the public can be reassured that our services for people with learning disabilities have now proved to be among the best in Scotland," he added.

NHS Borders chief executive John Glennie said it had improved its care to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

He went on: "We have further to go but we believe that we have made good progress."

Education Minister Peter Peacock said progress had been made in improving care services in the Borders, but he warned against complacency.

"The Scottish Executive is totally committed to modernising and strengthening these services and to ensuring that the agencies involved not only deliver a much-improved integrated service but also care for, respect and protect the most vulnerable in our society," the minister said.