Scottish Government publishes the latest child protection statistics

Date: 30th April 2025
Category: Scotland-specific monitoring and reporting, Care Experienced children

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The Scottish Government has released the latest data on child protection in Scotland for 2023-24. The report provides data on children who were subject to child protection processes.  

A summary of the key findings from the Scottish Government’s Child Protection Statistics for 2023-24: 

• Increase in registered children: As of July 31, 2024 there were 2129 on the child protection register, marking a 3% increase from 2077 in 2023. 

• Socioeconomic disparities: Approximately 48% of the children who were added to the register in 2023-24 lived in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland. 

• Reasons for being on the register: The most common concerns leading to registration included neglect, parental substance use, parental mental ill health, emotional abuse and domestic abuse. 

• Duration on the register: The majority of children remained on the register for less than six months. 

• Age: Children under the age of five years old constituted a significant proportion of those registered. 

Access Children’s Social Work Statistics: Child Protection 2023-24 here.