Boys make up two thirds of children in residential care in Scotland

New figures show that boys make up two thirds of the children in
residential care in Scotland with half of that number between the
ages of 11 and 15-years-old.
Despite a 13 per cent increase in reported admissions throughout
2001-02, the number of children in residential care in March rose
by only 1 per cent to 1,962, signifying a high turnover rate.
However, the number of long-term stays has increased with a 10 per
cent rise in those staying two years or more.
The numbers of children in secure accommodation has risen by 12 per
cent since the previous year. With secure units struggling to cope
with demand, these figures will increase concerns about under
16’s being remanded to young offenders institutions.
The national statistics report ‘Children in Residential
Accommodation 2001-02’ shows considerable disparity across
Scotland in the age and gender of children entering residential
accommodation and the average length of stay.
Copies of the report are available here