About looked after children and young people
What does looked after mean?
The term Looked after includes children looked after at home, subject to a supervision order from a Children’s Hearing, but living at home with their birth parent(s) or with other family members, as well as children looked after away from home who live with foster or kinship carers, in residential care homes, residential schools or secure units.
The What do we mean by looked after? page has more explanation and a brief legal summary
Who are looked after children and young people?
Of the 14,060 looked after children in Scotland at 31 March 2007:
- 41% were looked after away from home in foster care, residential or secure settings, while 58% were looked after at home by their parents or by other family members (kinship care).
- 55% were male, 45% female.
- 68% were aged between 5 and 15 years old; 19% were under 5 and 13% were 16 or over.
- Just over 65% of children in foster care were under 12 years old.
- 12% were in residential care.
- Just over 89% of young people in non-secure residential homes or schools were 12 years old or more.
The Data and reporting section explains how information is is collected and has more detailed statistics.
Why do children become looked after?
The number of children and young people becoming looked after has increased year on year over the last two decades.
The reasons for children becoming looked after are more complex, but the number placed as a result of offending behaviour has remained fairly static.
The overwhelming majority are placed for care and protection reasons and that number is increasing annually. Children and young people may be looked after for short or long periods; some return home, some are adopted, and some remain looked after for many years until they reach adulthood.
The page on Why do children and young people become looked after? has more details.