Aberdeen's child care 'improving'

Inspectors said the council's child care was improving

Aberdeen City Council's criticised child care services are showing signs of significant improvement, according to new inspection reports.

It was earlier claimed that children living at risk of abuse or neglect were not being given adequate protection.

Government inspectors have praised the efforts of the fostering and adoption services over the last two months.

Consultant Philip Cotterill, brought in to help social work, said it showed the department was bouncing back.

First Minister Alex Salmond had branded the earlier critical report into child protection in Aberdeen "unacceptable".

Inspectors said they were particularly concerned about the numbers of children living in high-risk situations with drug-abusing parents.

Children's Minister Adam Ingram contacted the city council to ensure urgent action was being taken.