Latest statistics on child protection in Scotland
The Scottish Government has published (31 March) the latest official Child Protection Statistics for 2024-25.
The information, collected from all 32 local authorities across Scotland, covers data on child protection processes, including planning and action taken to protect a child from abuse or neglect. The figures represent data collected for the year of 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025.
The statistics show that, on 31 July 2025, 2,097 children were on the child protection register, a decrease of 1% since 2024 (2,111).
During the year, 3,023 children were registered onto the child protection register, with 48% of these children living in one of the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland and 5% in one of the 20% least deprived areas in Scotland.
The most common concerns identified at child protection planning meetings were the same as in previous years, domestic abuse (44% of children registered), neglect (43%), parental substance use (38%), parental mental ill health (38%) and emotional abuse (32%).