Scotland's vhildren's minister Adam Ingram said today that "swift and decisive" action had been taken in the wake of a damning report into Aberdeen's child protection services.

And he said he had been reassured that "considerable work" was now under way in a bid to improve services in th city.

In a report in November inspectors had stated they were not confident all children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect in the area were receiving the help and support they needed.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) found that weaknesses in risk assessment, including delays, meant that many children were left in situations of "considerable risk".

The HMIE inspectors were particularly concerned about the numbers of children living in high risk situations with drug abusing parents without adequate support or protection.

In a statement to MSPs last month Mr Ingram said that improvements had been made to services there.

But he added that more needed to be done, and pledged then to monitor the situation.

Today Mr Ingram is in the city to find out more about the action that has been taken.

The children's minister is meeting agencies and front line staff involved in child protection services, and is also visiting projects which support vulnerable children and families.

Speaking ahead of that Mr Ingram said: "We all have a duty to help keep children in Scotland safe and sound as they grow up.

"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring robust safeguards are in place for young people at risk and, to help ensure these are maintained, I recently announced a national review of child protection guidance."

He continued: "Scotland's child protection services already undergo rigorous inspections so that any issues can be spotted quickly and addressed immediately.

"We saw this in action in relation to Aberdeen where a number of serious concerns were raised early on by inspectors, allowing swift and decisive action to be taken.

"These findings were deeply worrying and I have been clear from the start that the situation must improve."

Mr Ingram said he had been in contact with agencies in Aberdeen since HMIE's initial findings emerged in the summer, to ensure that the issues raised were "being tackled as a matter of urgency".

And he added: "I have been reassured that considerable work is under way and in order to closely monitor how that is being taken forward I'm meeting with child protection agencies in the area so that we can work together to keep children in Aberdeen safe."

During his visit Mr Ingram will meet members of the North East Scotland Child Protection Committee, including representative from Aberdeen City Council, Grampian Police, NHS Grampian, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and Voluntary Services Aberdeen.