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Publication - Statistics

Children’s Social Work Statistics: Child Protection 2023-24

Published
25 March 2025
From
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, +2 more … Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate, +1 more … Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families

Child Protection Statistics for Scotland for 2023-24 that cover data on children subject to child protection processes.

Please note that the Publication Tables and Additional Tables Excel documents were revised on 8 April 2025. See Contents pages for detail of tables subject to revision.

Please note that Table 1.5 was revised on 10 June 2025. This was to include the 2024 figures in the table, as shown in the Publication Tables Excel document.

Part of

Supporting documents

Cross-UK comparisons

On 31 March 2024, the rate of children in Scotland on the child protection register was 20 per 10,000 (0-17 years) (Chart 4). Scotland’s rate of children on the child protection register is considerably lower than in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It should be noted that the UK nations operate under differing legislative frameworks.

Chart 4 Cross UK comparisons of rate per 10,000 of children on Child Protection Register [Note 1] [Note 2] [Note 3] [Note 4]

Scotland continues to have the lowest rate per 10,000 children on the child protection register across the UK Nations.

[Note 1] Scotland data is as at 31st March for comparability purposes with other UK countries. The exception to this is between 2011 and 2014 where figures were published as at 31 July. Scotland rate per 10,000 for 2024 was calculated using NRS mid 2023 population estimates (0-17 years). Rates may vary slightly from previous publications due to updated Mid-Year Population Estimates.

[Note 2] Characteristics of children in need

[Note 3] Children on the child protection register

[Note 4] Children's social care statistics for Northern Ireland 2023/24 | Department of Health

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