Care Experienced Children and Young People funding: national operational guidance 2026/2027
Guidance to support local authorities plan how they will most effectively spend their Care Experienced Children and Young People funding.
Allocations
Funding is provided to local authorities annually at a figure of £1,225 per looked after child aged 5-15, as outlined in the latest Children’s Social Work Statistics Scotland, 2023/24 publication and is aligned with the Pupil Equity Funding methodology.
Drawdown Dates
Local authorities will receive funding over two instalments..
First Drawdown: January
Second Drawdown: June
The most recent Care Experienced Children and Young People Allocations can be found here:
Although the allocations are based on the5-15 age group who are currently looked after (agreed with COSLA as the best proxy for needs-based distribution), local authorities should use their local data to understand which individual children, groups of children, or families would benefit most from this additional funding. This includes considering the needs of all young people aged 0-26 who are eligible to be supported, and engaging with partner agencies and establishments to provide this.