Half of all children at risk of abuse and neglect are being failed by the child protection system, according to a Scottish Executive report.

A review of child protection was set up after the death of toddler Kennedy McFarlane.

The three-year-old died after horrific abuse from her stepfather in Dumfries, who was jailed in December 2000 for her killing.

The 208-page review's findings promised to "a programme of immediate action" to help victims of abuse and neglect.

First Minister Jack McConnell said the report made for "worrying reading" and the charity Children First urged a public awareness drive.

Kennedy: Abused by her stepfather

ChildLine Scotland has received a �500,000 boost which will enable it to open a second call centre in Aberdeen.

Child protection services will also be reformed under a recommendation that social workers and police should work closer together.

The report authors, led by Stella Perrott, deputy chief inspector of social work services in Scotland, scrutinised 188 cases in detail.

The executive review was announced in March 2001 by Mr McConnell, the then education minister.

The report's findings include:

• a three-year programme to establish clear practice standards and improve the work of child protection committees;

• experts will work with local agencies to carry through reforms and tackle poor performance;

• a "tough" new inspection system to monitor progress and a children's charter to be drawn up;

• of 188 cases studied 40 children were either not protected, or their needs were not met;

• in March 2001 there were 2,000 children on the child protection register and ChildLine Scotland received 4,330 calls about abuse.

Mr McConnell said: "Too many young people are slipping through the safety net and that can have tragic results."

He said the cash for Childline would enable it to "help even more frightened and worried young people".

"We are as a result of this report giving those responsible in the various agencies at local level three years to get it right," the first minister said.

"We can see no reason whatsoever why professional defensiveness, professional jealousies, barriers between different agencies, should get in the way of a proper child protection system that puts children first.

'Get it right'

Alison Todd, of ChildLine Scotland, said there was a growing need for its services.

She said: "Currently we get around 560 calls per day but we're only able to answer about 270 of these and we hope this new base will make a huge difference."

Margaret Mackay, chief executive of charity Children First, welcomed the move to improve child safety.

She said: "We have to harness the care and concern of ordinary members of the public, particularly of members of the families of children who are at risk."

It was vital they had confidence in agencies offering help and advice as and when required, Ms Mackay added.