Child protection services in Aberdeen are failing to provide an adequate safeguard for some youngsters at risk of harm, abuse and neglect, a report has found.

Children were being left in situations of “considerable risk” because of weaknesses in assessment, according to the report, published yesterday by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.

Inspectors expressed particular concern about the number of children living with parents who are drug addicts.

The report comes in the same week that child protection services in Haringey, North London, were heavily criticised when a 17-month-old boy under their supervision died from horrific injuries inflicted in his home.

His plight prompted Gordon Brown to announce a review of all child protection services in England, and a separate inquiry is to investigate “failings and weaknesses” in Haringey Council.

In Scotland, Alex Salmond said that the failings revealed in the HMIE report were “totally and utterly unacceptable”. During First Minister's Questions, he disclosed that he was examining plans to provide extra funds for Aberdeen City Council to help to remedy the problems.

The authority has proposed slashing budgets by about £30million next year after a £27million shortfall in its finances was identified.

Inspectors visited Aberdeen in April and May. Their report said that there was a sufficient provision of services but in many cases intervention was not speedy enough, especially when there had been substance abuse and neglect by parents. Effective action was taken only when an emergency had been reached, leaving children exposed to high risk. Even then, social workers relied too much on co-operating with parents, which did not reduce the risk, the inspectors claimed.

They also found that children at risk of “significant harm” were left at home because of a shortage of safe places, while appropriate legal measures were not used even in some high-risk cases.

The team rated the quality of child protection services as unsatisfactory in four areas, weak in ten and satisfactory in four areas. They made recommendations to strengthen services to protect children in Aberdeen.

Mr Salmond said: “Some councils have had an exemplary performance. However, there have been some councils, and the latest is Aberdeen, where the performance has been totally unacceptable.” Mr Salmond said that action was under way that would lead to substantial improvements.

Adam Ingram, the Children's Minister, has ordered Aberdeen City Council and child protection agencies in the area to act on the recommendations. Robert Coomber, the authority's interim chief executive, said he was confident that changes would be made.

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