Ethnic group

In 2022, most children in residential care (90%) and households (89%) were White. The proportion of children in residential care of Asian, Asian Scottish, or Asian British ethnicity (2%) was lower than among children living in households (5%). Children of African, African Scottish or African British ethnicity represented 1% of children in residential care, and 2% of children in households. Children of Caribbean or Black ethnicity accounted for 1% of children in residential care, and less than 1% of children in households. The proportion of children of mixed or multiple ethnic groups was similar for both groups (3%). Other ethnic groups, aside from those listed above, made up a bigger proportion of children in residential care (3%) compared to households (1%).

Figure 3: Most children in both residential care and households were White.
Percentage of children in residential care and households by ethnic group, in 2022.