The case of Caleb Ness highlighted failings

Alexander Ness was sentenced to 11 years in prison in March for the culpable homicide of his son Caleb in 2001, prompting a report which found serious failings in the care system.

The cabinet has now agreed to accelerate moves to change the way social work departments are inspected.

The measures include an independent inspection service and monitoring of police, health board and council services.

A sweeping review of the system was launched last year by First Minister Jack McConnell, who gave all the authorities involved in child protection three years to reform their systems.

It is not just a question for social work but for the police, health authorities, and all the professionals that work in those organisations Peter Peacock Children's minister

In October this year an independent inquiry into the death of Caleb found fault at "almost every level" by Edinburgh City Council and other care agencies involved.

The baby boy was on a child protection register at the time of his death.

A more urgent approach was signalled by Children's Minister Peter Peacock on Thursday after he briefed fellow ministers on progress so far.

Six "top professionals" have already been seconded to the executive from the social work and health fields, and they have been reviewing standards and operations across the various professions involved, he said.

The team was also developing new standards to be used in future inspections of child protection services.

Pilot inspections

"We are very clear that if change is to occur, it needs clear, continued and consistent attention of the top management and leaders of local authorities, police and the health service," said Mr Peacock.

Local authority leaders, chief constables and health board chief executives will be contacted to seek assurances on how they had reviewed child protection services and what they plan to do about weaknesses.

Ministers also agreed to accelerate a programme of independent inspections, making them more rigorous and along the line of school inspections.

Peter Peacock stressed the need for action

This had been planned to follow the three-year reform programme but that was to be brought forward, and independent inspections would be piloted as quickly as possible once agreement had been reached on standards.

Mr Peacock said he also intends to write to the Scottish Social Services Council, responsible for registering social workers, asking them to ensure that child protection training was a high priority in the future registration of social workers.

"It is not just a question for social work but for the police, health authorities, and all the professionals that work in those organisations," he said.

Mr Peacock agreed that the death of 11-week-old Caleb Ness had played a part in quickening the pace of reform.

The minister said the drive for reform began last year, after the death of toddler Kennedy McFarlane, a three-year-old from Dumfries who died in May 2000 after abuse by her stepfather Thomas Duncan, and other cases.