THE INTEGRATION OF CHILD-CARE SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

This paper describes the development of integrated child care services in Scotland with a particular focus on the role of residential child care provision. It discusses changes in Social Work Department policie s and the impact this has had on their relationship with the Children' s Hearings system. Recent research shows the pattern of use of residen tial and foster care in three Social Work Departments and issues in th e development of residential services are identified. Three particular examples of service integration are described: residential outreach w ork; a centre for young people under an integrated management; and mul ti-agency youth strategies. Social work and education services in Scot land are in the process of radical change. In the context of the integ ration of child care services, the paper discusses the impact of local government reorganisation and changes in child care legislation.