Children's social work statistics for Scotland published: 'Looked After Children'
The Scottish Government has today (30 April) published the latest official annual Children's Social Work Statistics for Scotland.
The information was collected from all of Scotland’s 32 local authorities about children and young people who were formally ‘Looked After’, young people who were in continuing care, and young people who were eligible for aftercare services. The statistics show snapshot data for a single date – 31 July 2023 – and data for the year of 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023. Statistics relating to Secure Care and Child Protection for 2022-2023 will be published separately from this year onwards.
The figures show that on 31 July 2023, a total of 12,206 children were ‘Looked After’, a 2% decrease since 31 July 2022. The number of children who started to be ‘Looked After’ between 2022-2023 was down 1% on the previous year.
Within this total figure, 2,466 children were ‘Looked After’ at home on 31 July 2023, accounting for 20% of all ‘looked after’ children, down 5% on the number for 31 July 2022.
On 31 July 2023, 777 young people were in continuing care, an increase of 12% on 31 July 2022, and 8,517 young people were eligible for aftercare services, an increase of 5% on 31 July 2022. The number of young people receiving aftercare services increased by 1%.