New social work figures show two per cent of youngsters in Scotland either being looked after or on child protection register last year

This is according to the latest Children’s Social Work Statistics published by Scotland’s chief statistician.

The statistics which include information on children who were looked after, on the child protection register and in secure care accommodation show that: 15,404 children were looked after - down one per cent from 2014 and the third consecutive year of decline, reversing the upwards trend which was in place from 2001 to 2012.

The total number is now 41 per cent higher than in 2001. Among looked after children, the proportion of children who are in foster care remains the largest category, now accounts for 36 per cent of looked after children, one per cent higher than in 2014.

There were 2,751 children on the child protection register – a decrease of four per cent since 2014 but still 38 per cent higher than in 2001. There has been a noticeable increase in the numbers of children being registered for more than a year.

And 84 young people were in secure care accommodation. The average number of residents in secure care accommodation during 2014-15 was 82 - up from 77 the previous year.