Key findings include:
- On 31 July 2024, 11,844 children were looked after – down 2% since 31 July 2023 (12,084) and down 24% since 2013-14 (15,600).
- A total of 2,313 looked after children were looked after at home on 31 July 2024. This accounts for 20% of looked after children. The most common placements away from home were kinship care (35%), foster care (32%), and residential accommodation (11%).
- During 2023-24, 3,105 children started to be looked after – down 1% since 2022-23 (3,133) and down 28% since 2013-14 (4,295).A total of 3,398 children ceased to be looked after during 2023-24 – down 3% since 2022-23 (3,494) and down 28% since 2013-14 (4,696).
- Just over half (54%) of looked after children have a home address in one of the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland, whereas 3% were from one of the 20% least deprived areas in Scotland.
- During 2023-24, 967 young people aged 16 years or over ceased to be looked after and were eligible for continuing care. Of these, 33% (315) entered continuing care.On 31 July 2024, 1,115 young people were in continuing care. This is 22% of those who were eligible for continuing care at the time of ceasing to be looked after (4,985).
- On 31 July 2024, an estimated 9,369 young people were eligible for aftercare services.4,454 (48% of those eligible) were receiving aftercare services – up 7% on 31 July 2023 (4,151).
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