Drop in foster carer numbers

The number of foster carers in Scotland has fallen, figures show.

The fostering and adoption statistical report for 2021-22 from the Care Inspectorate shows there were 3,415 approved foster care households in December 2021, which is down 3.5% on the number for 2020.

The Care Inspectorate said that this continued falls seen in the previous two years.

A total of 406 foster care households de-registered last year.

The report also shows that the number of children and young people in foster care has decreased, with 5,315 using the foster system in 2017 and 4,344 doing so as of December 2021.