Unaccompanied asylum seeking children

A total of 680 unaccompanied asylum seeking children were recorded as looked after during the year for 2024-25, in data returned by 29 local authorities (see Table 9, Note 2). On 31 July 2025, 380 unaccompanied asylum seeking children were looked after in Scotland (Table 9). Over three quarters of these children (78%) were placed in community settings. The most common community placements were ‘other community’ (67%) and foster care (10%), with a further 2% in kinship care. 22% of unaccompanied asylum seeking children were looked after in residential accommodation settings, including 13% in other residential and 8% in local authority homes.

Table 9 Number and percentage of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children looked after by placement type, 31 July 2025 [Note 1], [Note 2]

[Note 1] The bulk of 'other residential' placements are private/independent residential placements.

[Note 2] Figures include data collected from 29 local authorities. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children data were not available for Fife, North Ayrshire and Midlothian.

Of the 380 unaccompanied asylum seeking children who were looked after on 31 July 2025, 12% were female and 88% were male, and all were aged 14 years or older (Table 10). 17 year olds accounted for 60% of looked after unaccompanied asylum seeking children, with a further 22% being 16 years old and 13% being 18 years old.

Table 10 Number of children looked after who are Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children by sex and age, 31 July 2025 [Note 1], [Note 2]

[Note 1] Where Male or Female sex is not specified, children are included in the "All" sex category.

[Note 2] Figures include data collected from 29 local authorities. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children data were not available for Fife, North Ayrshire and Midlothian.

Of the 680 unaccompanied asylum seeking children looked after during the year, 273 ceased to be looked after during 2024-25. Of these almost two thirds had a destination of supported accommodation/own tenancy, with a further 14% in continuing care (Table 11). Only 3% had a destination accommodation of kinship carer and 1% with foster carers.

Table 11 Number and percentage of unaccompanied asylum seeking children ceasing to be looked after during the year by destination accommodation [Note 1], [Note 2]

[Note 1] 'Other category includes residential care, homeless and in custody.

[Note 2] Figures include data collected from 29 local authorities. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children data were not available for Fife, North Ayrshire and Midlothian.