Latest statistics on children in care in Scotland
The Scottish Government has published (28 April) the latest official annual Children’s Social Work Statistics for 2024-25.
The information, collected from all of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, covers data on the care of children who are formally ‘looked after’, young people living in Continuing Care, and support for care leavers. The statistics represent data collected for the year of 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025.
The figures show that, on 31 July 2025, 11,824 children were ‘looked after’*, a small increase from 11,780 children in 2024. It should be noted that, each year, after publication, the figures released may be revised once further reconciling of all data has been verified and compared, and updated figures are included in the next annual report.
20% of the children were ‘looked after at home’ by their parents with a Child Supervision Order in place with the local authority’s social services for the children’s care and protection. The majority of children (75%) were cared for in community settings, including by kinship carers (35%), foster carers (28%) and in residential child care (12%).
The information also identifies that 46% of the children came from one of the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland, and 4% were from one of the least 20% deprived areas.
On 31 July 2025, 1,155 young people were in Continuing Care, which accounts for 23% of those who were eligible for Continuing Care at the time they were no longer to be ‘looked after’.
4,545 young people were being supported with aftercare services, and over half of these young people were in education, training or employment.
* The term ‘looked after’ is the formal legal term used in Scotland to refer to the local authority’s support for children in need of care and protection where their parents are unable to care for them without that support. Children may be ‘looked after’ at home or away from home.