Social work in Scotland has been in the public eye in recent years, mainly for all the wrong reasons. A series of cases has led to ‘damning reports' that have criticised social workers and local authorities for weaknesses and failures.

However, other agencies are often involved, and it can be unclear as to which body should shoulder the blame. ~Fife Council~ and its partnership agencies, have come up with an interesting solution. The Fife Partnership intends to apply to the Scottish Executive for powers to establish their relationship as a legally-constituted body. This would allow the body to further develop community planning in its area, and become officially accountable for it. Child protection would be one of its collective responsibilities.