Reform of child protection procedures is under way

The �11m drive to improve training and education was announced by the Scottish Executive on Tuesday.

A count last October showed there were more than 2,800 vacancies in council social work services.

But Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson also told a conference that the number of students qualifying this year has increased by 25%.

Mr Robson announced that �9m is to be spent over the next three years for authorities to invest in training.

Although there is no quick fix, our recruitment and retention initiatives are starting to make a difference Euan Robson Deputy Education Minister

A further �2m over three years will be spent on a postgraduate course in leadership skills for council and voluntary sector social work managers.

A national group is also to be set up to produce an education and training strategy, and to improve recruitment and staff retention.

Figures earlier this year showed social work vacancies continuing to rise, even though the number of staff is increasing.

The count of posts last October found vacancies had risen by 400, from 2,400 the previous year.

The rise came despite a 5% increase in the number of social workers to more than 36,400.

Child protection

Mr Robson told the Edinburgh conference that measures to tackle the shortage are now paying off.

"Scotland now has more social workers than ever before with the number of students qualifying this year increasing by 25%," he said.

"Earlier this year we began an ambitious child protection reform programme which will deliver national standards, a tough inspection system and a Children's Charter.