Inspectors have said that services for children and young people in Aberdeenshire need to improve.
The Health Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland reviewed services across the north-east between April and June this year.
The findings for Aberdeenshire Council, NHS Grampian, police and the voluntary sector were published last night.
And although the quality was found to be “very good” across most of the board, leadership and change, and planning and improving services were found to be just “adequate” and “weak” respectively.
Inspectors also noted that for some vulnerable children – including some who are looked after – services were not able to show there had been “sustained” improvements in their life chances.
Karen Reid, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “Protecting young people and ensuring that the services they and their families access are of the very highest standard is crucial.
“We expect the partnership take the necessary steps so that everyone in Scotland can access services which meet their needs and respect their rights.”
The report does, however, praise efforts in Aberdeenshire to keep children safe.
Aberdeenshire Council’s chief executive Jim Savege said it showed a “commitment” across all agencies to improve the lives
of young people.
“The whole report will be reviewed to look at how we build on this and I thank the Care Inspectorate for its initial findings and ongoing support,” he added.
Malcolm Wright, chief executive of NHS Grampian, said service partners want to “get it right for every single child”.
And Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson said: “We must never be complacent and although the report is generally positive there are opportunities for improvement which we look forward to delivering along with partners.”