Edinburgh City Council will discuss the proposals next week

It is part of a major review of council services - but was given added impetus by the death of 11-week-old Caleb Ness, who was killed by his father.

A new department of education, children and families will focus on youngsters' protection and welfare.

A department of health and social care will look after other aspects of community welfare.

The changes will also signal a closer working relationship between the council and NHS Lothian.

Joint board

A spokesman for the local authority said both bodies saw it as an opportunity to develop a common culture.

"Governance arrangements, including the possibility of a new joint board, will be determined through consultation with NHS Lothian," said the council.

The restructuring will take a year to complete and will not lead to any job losses, the spokesperson added.

The proposals, which were published on Friday, will be discussed by councillors next week.

Intervention needs to take place as early as possible in a child's life to ensure that each and every child in the city has the best possible life chances Donald Anderson Council leader

Chief executive Tom Aitchison said the "innovative proposals" would put children and families at the heart of the council's operations.

"The problems we now face are very different to those from years ago," he said.

"They encompass drug, alcohol and child abuse and they can be exacerbated or highlighted by divisions within society.

"We are responding to this new and changed environment."

He also repeated his support for the council's social work staff.

'Difficult issues'

"As a group they deal on a daily basis with issues that go the heart of modern society.

"I intend to develop a more supportive environment for all staff, particularly those involved in child protection work," he added.

Council leader Donald Anderson said: "We need to ensure that staff providing services are given the best possible support possible to tackle some of the most difficult issues faced by public service workers.

Caleb Ness was shaken to death by his father

"We also need to ensure that services provided are of the highest quality to ensure a long-term approach is taken to tackling the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.

"Intervention needs to take place as early as possible in a child's life to ensure that each and every child in the city has the best possible life chances."

Professor James Barbour, chief executive of NHS Lothian, said "These proposals will further develop and build on the excellent joint working relationship we already have.

"But it will also provide the opportunity to really address key issues such as health inequalities, delayed discharge and improving the health of all our communities."

The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the NHS Lothian board next month.

Childcare staff

The council wants to see the creation of a department of health and social care which would take responsibility for domiciliary care, community care and criminal justice.

The department of education, children and families will co-ordinate the contributions made by teachers, social workers and childcare staff.

Caleb Ness was killed after being released from hospital into the care of his brain-damaged father and drug-addicted mother.