Authorities have pledged to work closer together to ensure the most vulnerable children in Moray receive the protection they need.
A three-year plan, shaping the future of children’s services in the region, has now been launched following a damning Care Inspectorate report.
Youngsters were found to be suffering from “emotional harm” while agencies failed to respond quickly enough to a “significant” number of cases of child safety.
Care services were condemned in the report for only taking decisive action when a “crisis” point was reached.
Yesterday, staff from Moray Council, NHS Grampian, police and voluntary groups received a briefing on a new long-term plan in response to the inspectors’ concerns.
One of the main aims of the report is to ensure action is taken at the “earliest appropriate time” and the services positively promote the wellbeing of children.
The authorities have also affirmed they now want to prevent problems from “happening in the first place” to ensure the least amount of stress is put on already-pressed budgets.
Susan Webb, chairwoman of the chief officers’ group, which was established in response to the report, comprising representatives from relevant agencies, explained steps had already been taken.
But she warned a “cultural change” within the different organisations would take longer to come into effect.
Mrs Webb said: “Children and their families will actually see more integrated working – if an issue comes up it won’t be seen as a health or local authority issue. We need to draw on the collective resources.
“There is a real buzz among staff when we come together to work on the issues when we come together.
“It was a very hard message to take, but we have accepted it and we want to make sure we provide excellent childrens’ services.”
Inspectors are due to return to Moray in September to check on the progress achieved.
An action plan has also been drawn up to measure annual progress against three priorities – ensuring children are safe, healthy and ambitious.
Moray Council’s chief executive, Roddy Burns, added: “We want to work as more of a partnership with the health service, police and other groups. We are absolutely committed to making the changes needed.”
