SCRA’s Official Statistics 2021/22 have been published today, Thursday 30 June 2022.
The full set of statistics includes:
- Online Statistics 2021/22
- Statistical Analysis 2021/22
- Online Statistics by Local Authority Breakdown 2021/22
- Interactive statistical dashboard
The statistics show that in 2021/22, 10,494 children and young people in Scotland were referred to the Children’s Reporter. This represents 1.1% of all children and young people in Scotland.
The majority of children and young people (8,691) were referred due to concerns about them.
Lack of parental care is the most common ground (reason) assigned by Reporters when a child or young person is referred to the Reporter. This ground is more commonly assigned to children in the first year of their life than any other age (394).
The most common ages for children and young people to be referred to the Reporter continues to be 14 and 15 years. For very young children (those who were aged under one year) the principal concern identified in the referral related to a lack of parental care or having close connection with a person who has carried out domestic abuse.
During the 12 month period, 21,909 Children’s Hearings were held for 10,902 children and young people. Due to the ongoing pandemic and restrictions, the majority of Hearings were held virtually.
The number of children and young people with Child Protection Orders (CPOs) in 2021/22 was 479. Of the 479 children with Child Protection Order referrals received in 2021/22, 119 (24.8%) were aged under 20 days at the date of receipt, 193 (40.3%) were aged under one year and 234 (48.9%) were aged under two years.
At 31 March 2022, 7,265 children and young people were subject to Compulsory Supervision Orders. Of the 7,265 children and young people subject to a Compulsory Supervision Order, 86.6% have only ever been referred on care and protection grounds.
The full set of Official Statistics can be found in detail in the Resources section of SCRA’s website.