Children in care could get quicker decisions about where they will live, under a new pilot project.
The Permanence and Care Excellence approach (PACE) is being piloted by Aberdeen and Renfrewshire Councils working with the Scottish Government.
It involves considering all the options available for a 'looked after' child, including returning to their birth family, being looked after by another relative, long term fostering or adoption. It is designed speed up the placing of children with a family when they cannot remain with their own.
Councillor Iain McMillan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Social Work board, said, "If a child can't stay with his or her birth parents, they need to be placed with the family that they will grow up with as soon as possible.
"Decisions need to be based on robust assessments but need to be taken quickly."
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