Introduction

This publication provides insights on children in residential care using data from Scotland’s Census 2022. Existing annual Looked After Children Statistics remain the main source of information on children in residential care. However, Census data complements these statistics by providing population-wide information on the health and wellbeing outcomes collected. This enables a broader understanding of the circumstances of children living in residential care and how their experiences compare with those of other children.

Residential care homes offer children and young people a safe place to live together with other children away from home. They provide care and support and, in some cases, education.

Children and young people may reside in residential care in certain circumstances, including where the child:

• is subject to a Compulsory Supervision Order under the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 with a residence requirement
• is being provided with accommodation under Section 25 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (a voluntary agreement)
• is placed by a local authority which holds a permanence order made under Section 80 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007

In Scotland, care home services for children and young people are provided by local authorities, private firms, voluntary organisations and health boards. Children in a residential care home will have a plan for their care for the people looking after them to follow. This publication uses data from Scotland's Census 2022 to provide further insights for this population.

The Promise

The Promise is Scotland’s long-term commitment to transform the care system following the findings of the Independent Care Review, which concluded in February 2020. It sets out a vision for change to be realised by 2030, ensuring that all children grow up loved, safe and respected, and that care-experienced children receive the support they need to thrive.

The 2022 Census findings presented in this report provide new population-level insights into the health outcomes of care-experienced children and young people close to when the Promise was made in February 2020. As an output of The Promise Data and Evidence Group work programme, the analysis contributes to the wider evidence base being developed to support understanding of outcomes for care-experienced children and young people and progress towards keeping The Promise.

Identifying children looked after in residential care settings in Scotland’s Census

Children looked after in residential care settings were identified using Scotland’s Census 2022 communal establishment questionnaire. The following categories of establishment type were selected to indicate the number of children in residential care:

• NHS/Health and Social care body or group: Mental health hospital/unit (including secured units)
• NHS/Health and Social care body or group: Other hospital
• Local Authority/District council: Children’s home (including secure unit)
• Local Authority/District council: Care home without nursing
• Other: Care home without nursing
• Other: Children’s home (including secure units)
• Hostel for the homeless or temporary shelter

A number of looked after children attend residential schools. This category was omitted from the current analysis as it would also capture children who did not have looked after status.

Using this definition, 975 children aged 0-17 years were identified as likely to be looked after in residential care settings on Census day. By comparison, the looked after children statistics recorded 951 children in residential care on 31 July 2022. More recent data as at 31 July 2025 show that, excluding children in residential schools, 1,066 children were in residential care. Further information on the comparability of these two sources is included in the Data and methodology section.

The findings for children in residential care are compared with those for all other children who were not living in communal establishments (999,783), referred to as “children in households”. This group includes non-looked after children living with their parents or guardians, children who are looked after in other settings (for example: kinship care, foster care, or at home under a compulsory supervision order), as well as children with previous care experience.

Children looked after in residential care are generally of secondary school age. The older age profile of this population, compared to children in households, is likely to explain some of the observed differences in health outcomes. As children grow older, health conditions may become more apparent and their effects on daily functioning more likely to be recognised.

Completing census returns

In Scotland’s Census, legal responsibility for completing returns is placed on a designated respondent. For private households, the householder is responsible for completing the individual questionnaire on behalf of all members of the household, including individuals aged under 16 years and those who are otherwise unable to complete the questionnaire themselves. Individuals aged 16 years and over are generally expected to complete their own individual questionnaire, where capable.

In communal establishments, the manager of the establishment is responsible for completing the communal establishment return and for ensuring that a communal establishment individual questionnaire is completed for each resident. For residents aged under 16 years, or those otherwise unable to respond, questionnaires are completed on their behalf by a responsible adult within the establishment.

In both settings, this means that responses for children are provided by a responsible adult, either the householder (for example, a parent or guardian) in private households, or staff responsible for the resident in communal establishments. Individuals aged 16 years and over who are capable complete their own responses.

Other sources of children’s social work statistics

The annual Scottish Government Looked After Children Statistics presents the number of children living in residential care settings, using data provided by local authorities. These statistics provide more timely data on the number of children in residential care.

This analysis was produced to complement the existing Kinship Care Statistics, also based on data from Scotland’s Census 2022.

The Children’s Social Work Statistics Collection provides links to a wide range of data on looked after children, young people eligible for aftercare, children on the child protection register, and children in secure care accommodation.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

These statistics are official statistics. Official statistics are statistics that are produced by crown bodies, those acting on behalf of crown bodies, or those specified in statutory orders, as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

More information about Scottish Government statistics is available on the Scottish Government website.