This publication provides insights on children in residential care using data from Scotland’s Census 2022. Existing annual Looked After Children Statistics remain the main source of information on children in residential care. However, Census data complements these statistics by providing population-wide information on the health and wellbeing outcomes collected. This enables a broader understanding of the circumstances of children living in residential care and how their experiences compare with those of other children.
Key points
- On Census Day in 2022, an estimated 975 children in Scotland were looked after in residential care.
- Age and sex: 56% of children in residential care were male, compared to 51% of children living in households. Most children in residential care were aged 15 to 17 (60%).
- Ethnic group: Most children in residential care (90%) and households (89%) were White. The proportion of children in residential care of Asian, Asian Scottish, or Asian British ethnicity (2%) was lower than among children living in households (5%). Children of African, African Scottish or African British ethnicity represented 1% of children in residential care, and 2% of children in households. Children of Caribbean or Black ethnicity accounted for 1% of children in residential care, and less than 1% of children in households. The proportion of children of mixed or multiple ethnic groups was similar for both groups (3%). Other ethnic groups, aside from those listed above, made up a bigger proportion of children in residential care (3%) compared to households (1%).
- Main language: Where a main language was recorded (for children aged three or over), English was the main language for 96% of children in both residential care and households.
- Religion: The most common response was that children had no religion (78% in residential care compared to 62% in households). A lower proportion of children in residential care were Christian (9%) compared to households (26%).
- Disability: The proportion of children in residential care with an activity limiting health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months was 18%, compared with 9% for children in households. Children in residential care tend to be older on average than children in households, which is likely to account for some differences between these populations.
- Health conditions: A third (33%) of children in residential care had a learning disability, learning difficulty or developmental disorder, and 16% had a mental health condition. This compared with 9% of children in households reported as having one or more of learning disability, learning difficulty or developmental disorder, and 3% had a mental health condition. Children in residential care tend to be older on average than children in households, which is likely to account for some differences between these populations.
- General health: Most children’s health was reported as good or very good, although this was lower for residential care (92%) than households (97%).
