News Release
CHILDREN IN RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION 2001-2002
14 January 2003
A Scottish Executive National Statistics Publication
This document is also available in pdf format (124k)
Statistics on children in residential accommodation in Scotland for the year ended 31 March 2002 are published today.
The main points are:
- There were 1,962 children in residential accommodation in March 2002, an increase of 1 per cent (20 children) from the previous year. In the 1970s there were more than 6,000 children in residential accommodation.
- There were 207 establishments providing residential accommodation for children and an average of 10 places in each provider. This is a long term decrease from the early 1970s where the average was over 25 places per provider.
- In March 2002, two thirds of the children in residential accommodation were boys, and two thirds of the total were aged between 11 and 15 years old;
- In 2001-02, there were 10,960 reported admissions to residential establishments, 13 per cent higher than the previous year. This suggests higher turnover of children through accommodation.
- However, there has been a significant (10%) increase in the number of children staying in residential accommodation for over two years. In March 2002, there were 480 children who were in accommodation for two years or more.
- There were 96 children in secure accommodation in March 2002 - a significant (12%) increased over the previous year.
- There is significant variation between local authority areas in the age and gender of children entering residential accommodation, and in the average length of stay. This will reflect that authorities work closely together to offer accommodation rather than just relying on homes in their area.
The following tables are available:
Table 1 - Homes, Places and Staffing as at 31 March 2002.
Table 2 - Residents at 31 March 2002 by gender, age, and length of stay.
Table 3 - Admissions in 2001-02 by age group, and discharges in 2001-02 by length of stay.
Table 4 - Children in secure accommodation as at 31 March 2002.
Table 5 - Homes, Places and Staffing as at 31 March 2002 by Local Authority area.
Table 6 - Admissions, discharges, and resident characteristics as at 31 March 2002 by Local Authority area.
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
- The main purpose of residential accommodation for children is to provide good quality care, support and opportunities for development in a safe environment. It may also provide education or specialist care. Residential accommodation is an important element in children's services. For some children looked after away from home, it will be the most appropriate option for meeting their particular needs.
- There are various types of residential accommodation to which children and young persons may be admitted. The main types of establishments are children's homes, residential schools, hostels and homes for children with disabilities. There are also a few establishments which provide secure accommodation.
- Children may be in a residential establishment under a voluntary care arrangement, under a supervision requirement made by a children's hearing, where a parental responsibilities order had been obtained by the local authority or as a requirement made by a Court. These placements will have been made under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (placements prior to 1 April 1997) the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (placements from 1st April 1997) or the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
- Figures on looked after children in residential accommodation were published on 28 th November 2002 in the news release 'Children Looked After 2001-02' http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00199-00.asp. For measuring progress against target in the Scottish Executive's Programme for Government, the 'Children Looked After' return should be treated as the definitive source, as it is completed by the local authorities and includes information on all children looked after by that local authority.
- Bespoke analysis is available on request.
- This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
- Public enquiries (non-media) about the information contained in this News Release should be addressed to Children's Statistics, Scottish Executive Education Department, Area 1-A, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ (telephone 0131 244 3745 or e-mail children.statistics@scotland.gsi.gov.uk).
Contact: Murray Meikle 0131-244-2972
14 January 2003
Contact:
News Release: <<NewsReleaseNo>>
Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk