Number of children in care falls to lowest level since 2006

The number of children who are in care in Scotland has reached its lowest level for almost two decades, new figures show.

Scottish Government statistics revealed that as of July 31 2023, there were 12,206 who were being looked after by a local authority. This total is down by 2 per cent on the previous year, and by almost a quarter (24 per cent) since 2013 – when the total was 16,032. The Scottish Government report said it was the lowest figure since 2006.

The figures show 3,004 children were taken into care in 2022-23 – down 1 per cent from the previous year and 33 per cent lower than 201213, when the total was 4,470. Youngsters can be placed into the care of their local authority for a variety of reasons, including facing abuse or neglect at home, having disabilities that leave them requiring special care, or becoming involved in the youth justice system.

Of the 12,206 youngsters in care at the end of July last year, the figures showed 20 per cent were at home with their parents, while just over a third (34 per cent) were being cared for by a friend or relative, in a kinship care arrangement.

Just over one in five (22 per cent) youngsters in care were in foster care, with 11 per cent being looked after in residential accommodation settings. Of those taken into care in 2022-23, 55 per cent were boys, while 45 per cent were girls.

12,206

As of July 31 2023, there were 12,206 children who were being looked after by a local authority in Scotland, according to a new Scottish Government report

2%

This total is down by 2 per cent on the previous year, and by almost a quarter (24 per cent) since 2013 – when the total was 16,032

3,004

The figures show 3,004 children were taken into care in 2022-23 – down 1 per cent from the previous year

33%

The above figure was 33 per cent lower than 2012-13, when the total number of children taken into care was 4,470

20%

Of the 12,206 youngsters in care at the end of July last year, the figures showed 20 per cent were at home with their parents

34%

Of the 12,206 youngsters in care at the end of July last year, just over a third (34 per cent) were being cared for by a friend or relative, in a kinship care arrangement

22%

Just over one in five (22 per cent) youngsters in care were in foster care

11%

11 per cent of youngsters in care were being looked after in residential accommodation settings

55%

Of those children taken into care in 2022-23, 55 per cent were boys

45%

Of those children taken into care in 2022-23, 45 per cent were girls