Inspectors have expressed fears that vulnerable children in Moray are not receiving the help and support they need.
In a report published today the HMIE says that children were sometimes left in high-risk situations.
Children's minister Adam Ingram said the shortcomings identified in the report were "completely unacceptable".
The report says there were inconsistencies and delays in health workers and council staff reporting concerns about children's safety or welfare to social work or police.
Information about immediate risks to children was not always gathered and fully considered by social workers who did not always carry out routine checks before placing children with relatives.
Some children were left in high-risk situations and health and social work staff did not always take action quickly when children were experiencing neglect.
When there were high levels of risk or concern about children, social workers often relied too much on working voluntarily with parents.
The report highlights delays in decision-making processes to obtain compulsory measures of supervision and says that when parents were cooperating with services, staff often assumed that the risks to children were reduced.
Planning for children did not always reduce risk within acceptable timescales. Overall, there were significant weaknesses in some critical areas.
The report follows a similarly critical report three months ago on Aberdeen where, like Moray, child protection is overseen by the North East Scotland Child Protection Committee.
Mr Ingram said: "As soon as we became aware of these worrying findings I was in touch with child protection agencies in Moray to ensure urgent action was being taken and I followed this up with a face-to face meeting last month. This has led to a strengthening of the action plan that Moray Council, Grampian Police and NHS Grampian are now committed to delivering.
Alastair Keddie, the chief executive of Moray Council, said: "We view the findings of this report with great concern. All partners in Moray are committed to the protection of children, and take their responsibilities seriously."
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