Children's Social Work Statistics, Scotland 2020-21

Children's Social Work Statistics for Scotland for 2020 to 2021, including data on children and young people looked after, on the child protection register and in secure care accommodation.


Summary Infographic

This shows the number of children looked after and the children on the child protection register. As at 31 July 2021:

  • 14,946 children in Scotland were Looked After or on the Child Protection Register, representing 1.5% of Scotland’s under 18 population. The icons of boys and girls reflect a visual depiction 1.5% of Scotland’s population as being looked after or on the child protection register.
  • 13,255 children and young people were looked after.
  • 2,104 children were on the child protection register.
  • 413 children were both looked after and on the child protection register.

Compared with 2020 there was:

  • 8% decrease in the number of Looked After Children
  • 20% decrease in the number of children on the Child Protection Register

This illustration also shows that 76 children, on average, were in secure care accommodation. Compared with 2020, 6 fewer young people, on average, resided in Secure Care Accommodation.

Contact

Email: childrens.statistics@gov.scot

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