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Children’s Social Work Statistics 2014-15

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Two per cent of children in Scotland were being looked after by local authorities or on the child protection register on July 31 2015, according to the latest Children’s Social Work Statistics published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician today.

The statistics which include information on children who were looked after, on the child protection register and in secure care accommodation show that:

• 15,404 children were looked after - down one per cent from 2014 and the third consecutive year of decline, reversing the upwards trend which was in place from 2001 to 2012. The total number is now 41 per cent higher than in 2001. Among looked after children, the proportion of children who are in foster care remains the largest category, now accounts for 36 per cent of looked after children, one per cent higher than in 2014.
• 2,751 children were on the child protection register – a decrease of four per cent since 2014 but still 38 per cent higher than in 2001. There has been a noticeable increase in the numbers of children being registered for more than a year.
• 84 young people were in secure care accommodation. The average number of residents in secure care accommodation during 2014-15 was 82 - up from 77 the previous year.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff free from any political interference, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Notes To Editors

1. These are annual statistics published on children who are looked after, on the child protection register or in secure care accommodation based on data collected from local authorities and secure units.

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/About

2. The full statistical publication can be accessed at:
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/5133

3. Further information on Children and Families statistics within Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/topics/statistics/browse/children/

Contact Information

SG Communications

SGCommunications@scot.gov.uk

Lesley Brown

lesley.brown@scot.gov.uk

Leanna MacLarty

leanna.maclarty@scot.gov.uk

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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