Child protection services in Perth and Kinross have been hailed the best in Scotland.
The Care Inspectorate said exceptional and groundbreaking work is being done collaboratively by Perth and Kinross Council, Tayside Police, NHS Tayside and voluntary organisations.
Projects dealing with a spectrum of issues from improving confidence to helping children affected by parental substance misuse were highlighted and praised in the strongest terms.
Perth and Kinross Council leader Ian Miller said: ”The important thing for everyone to remember is that we all have a responsibility to make sure children are ‘all right’.
”We and our partners will continue to do the very best we can to protect our young people. Of course we must never be complacent. We must continue to ensure that everyone is focused on, and fully aware of, their responsibilities.”
He said the ongoing financial crisis in the public sector will not alter the partnership’s approach.
He said: ”It’s a matter of priorities and this is a priority for this council ” we will have the resources to carry on.”
Council chief executive Bernadette Malone said: ”There are some 32,000 children in our area and ” to have been awarded excellent ratings is a credit to the highly professional staff and the way they work together, right across the public services in our area.”
Rated excellent, the highest grade possible, were the respect shown to children, the ability to keep them safe and reduce long-term harm.
Children and families are said to be benefiting from an outstanding level of individual support at an early stage and for as long as it is needed and this is particularly so in evenings and at weekends.
Positive improvements in the lives of children in need of protection were identified.
Karen Anderson, the Care Inspectorate’s director of operations, said: ”There is nothing more important than protecting the most vulnerable children in our society by ensuring their safety and well-being.
”This report published today is primarily aimed at letting people in Perth and Kinross know just how.”
Roddy Ross, Chief Superintendent in charge of policing in Perth and Kinross, said: ”The way of working by all those in the public and voluntary organisations who are involved in protecting children in the Perth and Kinross area has rightly been singled out as exceptional by the inspectors.
”The focus on child protection is always at the forefront in our day to day work and it’s the same with all our partners.”
Gerry Marr, chief executive of NHS Tayside, said: ”Protecting children is the most important service we can provide and staff and volunteers here in Perth and Kinross area demonstrate their commitment and dedication to that task every day.”
The report also brought praise from the Government with Minister for Children and Young People, Angela Constance stating: ”It’s essential that children get the best start in life and for that to happen they and their families often require support of the calibre clearly provided across Perth and Kinross.”
Inspectors highlighted three projects as excellent examples of child protection.
The Bounce Back primary schools programme began in 2008 to teach pupils personal coping while Change is a Must provides intensive help for families affected by substance misuse.
Scott Street offers services to vulnerable young people including washing and laundry facilities for those in homeless accommodation, private meeting rooms, career and job seeking support, health information and parenting help for teenage mothers.