| Information on Looked
After Children
at 31st March 1997 and 1998
3. AGES OF CHILDREN IN CARE /LOOKED AFTER
The greatest number of children looked after are in the
older age groups. This is a pattern that has held consistently over time.
The implementation of The Children (Scotland) Act 1995
extended the powers and duties of local authorities to look after children who would
previously have left care at around 16 years old. Additionally, a number of respite
placements, which were not previously considered as being "in care", now come
within the definition of looked after. This may partially explain why the number of
children looked after, who are aged over 16 years, has increased by 59 between 1997 and
1998 at a time when the overall number of children looked after has decreased.
Table 2 Age of Children in Care /Looked
After at 31st March
|
|
|
|
|
| 0-4 |
14% (1 714) |
16% (1962) |
13% (1446) |
13% (1 428) |
| 5-11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 12 and over |
63% (7 726) |
53% (6 601) |
57% (6530) |
57% (6129) |
| Total |
12 287 |
12 371 |
11 357 |
10 791 |
Note: Totals include 5 children in 1993 where age is
unknown. Figures for 1997 and 1998 include estimates for authorities that were unable to
provide data. |
