SCRA’s Official Statistics 2020/21

Our Official Statistics 2020/21 have been published today, Thursday 30 September 2021.

The full set of statistics includes:

• Online Statistics 2020/21
• Statistical Analysis 2020/21
• Online Statistics by Local Authority Breakdown 2020/21
• Interactive statistical dashboard

The statistics show that in 2020/21, 9,665 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 (8,013) were referred due concerns about their welfare.

During the 12 month period, 16,248 Children’s Hearings were held for 8,977 children and young people. Due to the pandemic and restrictions, the majority of Hearings were held virtually.

Lack of parental care is the most common ground (the reason) a child or young person is referred to the Reporter. More children were referred in the first year of their life than any other age (502). This was 14.6% of the children referred on this ground.

The most common ages for children and young people to be referred to the Reporter continue to be 14 and 15 years although the most common age for children to be referred on care and protection grounds this year was under 1.

The number of children and young people with Child Protection Orders (CPOs) in 2020/21 was 570. Of the 570 children and young people with Child Protection Order referrals received in 2020/21, 17.4% were aged under 20 days at the date of receipt and 43.7% were aged under two years.

At 31 March 2021, 7,959 children and young people were subject to Compulsory Supervision Orders. Of the 7,959 children and young people subject to a Compulsory Supervision Order, 85% 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 our website.