Children's Social Work Statistics for Scotland published
The Scottish Government has today (29 March 2022) published the latest official annual Children's Social Work Statistics for Scotland, covering the period of 1 August 2020 – 31 July 2021. As at 31 July 2021 a total of 14,946 of children and young people in Scotland were formally ‘looked after’ or on the child protection register. 13,255 children and young people were looked after – this represents a decrease of 8% compared to the previous year and the lowest number of Looked After Children since 2006. 2,104 children were on the child protection register, a 20% decrease since the 2019-20 period and the lowest number of children on the register since 2002.
This data is based on information collected from 32 local authorities and five secure care units, and this is the first release of children’s social work statistics for which the reporting period began after the initial COVID-19 outbreak, and subsequent periods of lockdown and restrictions.