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xLatest statistics on children in care in Scotland
Date: 22nd May 2026
Category:
Care Experienced children
The Scottish Government has released the 2024-25 Children’s Social Work Statistics, showing a slight rise in the number of children formally looked after across the country.
As of 31 July 2025, 11,824 children were in care, a slight increase from 11,780 the previous year.
Most children (75%) continue to be cared for in community settings, including kinship care (35%), foster care (28%) and residential care (12%). One in five children were looked after at home under a supervision order. The data also highlights ongoing inequality: 46% of looked‑after children come from the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland.
For older young people, 1,155 were in Continuing Care, representing 23% of those eligible, while 4,545 received aftercare support, with over half engaged in education, training or employment.
These figures offer an important insight to Scotland’s care landscape and a reminder of the ongoing need for strong, well‑resourced support for children, young people and care leavers.