THE number of children who are in care in Scotland has reached its lowest level for almost two decades, according to recent figures.
Scottish Government statistics revealed that as of July last year, 12,206 children were being looked after by a local authority.
This total is down by 2% on the previous year, and by almost a quarter (24%) since 2013 – when the total was 16,032.
Commenting on the recent total, the Scottish Government report said: “This is the lowest this figure has been since 2006.”
READ MORE: Scottish A&E waiting times at best level in six months
According to the figures, 3004 children were taken into care between 2022 and 2023 – which is 1% down from the previous year and 33% lower since 2013.
Youngsters can be placed into the care of their local authority for a variety of reasons, including facing abuse or neglect at home, having disabilities that leave them requiring special care, or having become involved in the youth justice system.
Of the 12,206 youngsters in care at the end of July last year, the figures showed 20% continued to be at home with their parents, while just over a third (34%) were being cared for by a friend or relative, in a kinship care arrangement.
The figures also showed more than one in five (22%) youngsters in care were in foster care with 11% being looked after in residential accommodation settings.
Of those children taken into care in 2022-23, 55% were boys, while 45% were girls.
Subscribe to The National for just £20 for an entire year
The data also showed that 15% were taken into care before their first birth birthday, with 17% being taken into care between the ages of one and four.
A further 28% were taken into care when they were aged between five and 11 years old, with 30% aged between 12 and 15 and 9% aged 16 to 17.
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here