MORE than half of Scotland's social work departments have plunged into the red this year, racking up a combined overspend in excess of £35 million.

Growing numbers of elderly people and vulnerable children are pushing budgets to breaking point, with 18 councils predicting they will breach their spending limit. Another two say demand is stretching care funding.

Research by The Herald has revealed Fife Council is predicting the biggest social work overspend this financial year, at £10.7m, followed by Glasgow City Council at £9.7m.

Edinburgh says waiting lists for care packages for pensioners and the disabled in the region have doubled, even though it has increased the number of care hours delivered. There are now 215 people on its waiting list who require 2680 hours per week of care.

Scottish Borders says it has battled to avoid a £2m overspend.

Doug Anthoney, communication and campaigns officer for Age Scotland, said: "We are already seeing signs social care budgets across Scotland are at breaking point, with increasing reports of 'blink and you miss it' home-care visits. The consequences for vulnerable older people can be severe. Not only is it more likely changes in their physical and mental health needs will be overlooked in the rush, but being dressed, fed and medicated in a hurry can itself be a cause of distress."

All councils were asked for details about social work spending as part of The Herald's NHS Time for Action campaign. It is investigating signs of extra pressure on health and care services.

The Herald today hosts an event for experts across the country to consider what action Scotland needs to prioritise to meet the needs of the ­growing elderly population.

NHS Highland, which has taken over responsibility for adult social care from the council as a pilot for the Scottish Government's plan to integrate the two separate services, is among those struggling to meet needs and stay in budget despite the new working arrangements. It is projecting a £3.7m overspend and says the bill for complex care packages is behind the problem.

North, South and East Ayrshire, Moray, Shetland, Orkney, Perth and Kinross, West Dunbartonshire, Stirling, Midlothian, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Renfrew­shire and Western Isles are all projecting overspends ranging from £123,000 in East Ayrshire to £3.627m in North Ayrshire. Dundee City Council did not respond.

The cost of looking after the elderly, including rising care home fees, was the reason given most often for the spending crisis. This was followed by the cost of caring for vulnerable ­children, including the price of ­fostering. Home care packages for people with disabilities was another area of difficulty. Managers across the country are taking action to bring spending closer to the limit or within budget during the next five months.

Peter Johnston, health and social care spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), the councils' umbrella body, said: "Cosla has been aware for some time now there are growing pressures within social work budgets.

"There are complex reasons for this, including our ageing population, entrenched poverty, and social exclusion. Councils have been doing everything they can to protect social work services, but a difficult financial climate and a year-on-year increase in demand cannot be overcome through efficient and effective budget management alone."

A Scottish Government spokesman said it gave a block grant, which in 2013/14 was £10.3m, to local government each year which covers support for social work.

"It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities."

"Between 2007/08 and 2012/13, local government's budget has increased by 8.9% and the outcome of the Spending Review 2011 and Budget Review 2013 has confirmed local government's revenue funding and capital share will be maintained on a like- with-like basis."