MSPs want more social work provision

The Scottish Parliament's Audit Committee said it was troubled by a report which showed that up to 400 children at any one time do not have a social worker consistently allocated to their case.

The MSPs said: "The seriousness of this situation cannot be overstated."

They also backed a national system of police warnings for young offenders.

Our committee finds the number of young people who are not receiving services due to social work staff shortages very disturbing Andrew Welch Committee convener

The MSPs were reacting to an in-depth study of a report on youth offending by the Auditor General, Robert Black.

Mr Black said there were inconsistencies and delays in the system, with cases taking up to eight months to go through the criminal justice system or five months to go through the children's hearing system.

On the issue of social workers, the MSPs said: "The committee finds the number of unallocated or not continuously allocated cases in relation to children's services very disturbing and believes that the seriousness of this situation cannot be overstated.

"The committee accepts there are problems of definition but believes that this is an obstacle which must be overcome."

The MSPs' report said there should be clear standards for the time taken at each stage of the children's hearing system and the criminal justice system.

More consistency

The Scottish Executive has announced plans to bring in a national system of police warnings for juvenile offenders.

However, the MSPs said the warning system should be introduced "as soon as possible" for all young offenders up to the age of 21.

They called for more consistency in decisions on whether or not to refer cases to procurators fiscal.

We recognise the need to ensure there is a sufficient supply of social workers to meet demands on the system Scottish Executive spokeswoman

They also urged a review of liaison arrangements between the courts, police, local authorities, prosecutors, reporters and voluntary organisation.

Andrew Welch, SNP MSP for Angus and convener of the committee, said: "The committee was particularly concerned by evidence relating to social work services for children.

"Our committee finds the number of young people who are not receiving services due to social work staff shortages very disturbing.

"We have therefore recommended that the executive should take urgent action to help local authorities address these problems."

Youth courts

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive welcomed the report as "an important contribution to the current debate".

She said a number of initiatives to improve the effectiveness of the youth justice system had been introduced in recent years.

These included youth courts and fast-track hearings to get young offenders through the system quicker.