Scotland

> Children in public care
> Placements
> Adoption
> Sources

Children in public care

• 14,060 children were in the care of local authorities on 31st March 2007
• 5,469 children started to be looked after during the year ending 31st March 2007
• 4,144 children ceased to be looked after during the year ending 31st March 2007

Gender

55.4% (7,787) of children looked after on 31st March 2007 were boys and 44.6% (6,273) were girls

Age

• 2% (284) of children looked after on 31st March 2007 were under 1 year old
• 17% (2,382) were aged between 1 and 4 years old
• 34% (4,794) were aged between 5 and 11 years old
• 34% (4,746) were aged between 12 and 15 years old
• 11% (1,558) were aged 16 or 17
• 1% (165) were aged 18
• 1% (131) were aged between 19 and 21 years old

Ethnicity

• 84% (11,795) of children looked after on 31st March 2007 were white
• 1% (137) were of mixed ethnicity
• 0.5% (74) were Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British
• 0.3% (48) were Black, Black Scottish or Black British
• 0.3% (44) were from other ethnic groups
• 14% (1,962) were of unknown ethnic origin

Placements

• 42.5% (5,986) of children looked after on 31st March 2007 were living with at home with their parents
• 29% (4,055) were living with foster carers
• 15% (2,094) were living with friends/family
• 11.8% (1,661) were living in residential accommodation
• 1.5% (220) were living with prospective adopters
• 0.3% (44) were in other community placements

Adoption

• 133 children ceasing to be looked after during the year ending 31st March 2007 were adopted
• 270 children were adopted by non-relatives during 2006
• 418 adoptions took place in 2006 (includes step-parent (30.6%), grandparent(s) (0.9%), other relation(s) (3.8%) and no relation (64.6%) adoptions)

Statistics on adoptions in Scotland are provided by the Registrar General for Scotland, which registers adoptions under the Adoption of Children (Scotland) Act 1930.

Sources:

Looked After Children Statistics 2006–07 http://www.scotland.gov.uk

Vital Events Reference Tables 2006: Adoptions and Re-registrations
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk