[Note 1] Children can be admitted and discharged more than once during the year.

Emergency beds were used for a total number of 17 nights – continuing the noticeable reduction starting in 2021 (Table 2). The large drop in the use of emergency beds after 2019 may have partly been driven by the overall decline in the number of admissions over the last few years as well as the decrease in the average number of residents. In total, five residents used an emergency bed during the year.

[Note 1] Children can be admitted and discharged more than once during the year.

[Note 2] Three services reported having an emergency bed: Rossie School; Good Shepherd; and Kibble.

[Note 3] The large drop in figures relating to emergency beds may have partly been driven by the overall decline in number of admissions over the last few years as well as the decrease in average number of residents.

Resident characteristics and length of stay

On 31 July 2023, there were 60 residents in secure care accommodation – continuing the downward trend since 2019 and the lowest number of residents at year end since recording began (Table 3). Of these, 36 (60%) were male and 24 (40%) were female. The largest proportion of residents were aged 16 or over (43%), followed by 14-year-old residents (27%) and 15-year-old residents (22%). Just over a quarter of residents (28%) had a recorded disability. For the 60 residents in secure care accommodation on 31 July 2023, 23% had a length of stay between 6 months to under 1 year, with a further 20% staying between 3 months to under 6 months or between 1 month to under 2 months respectively.

Table 3 Resident characteristics.

Number of children in secure care by sex, age, disability, and length of stay on 31 July 2014-2023 [Note 1], [Note 2].

[Note 1] For cells shown as " - ", figures are not available. Cells containing " * " represent small numbers that are suppressed to maintain confidentiality. Other cells may be suppressed to avoid calculation of other suppressed values.

[Note 2] Please note that Edinburgh Secure Service closed on 30 June 2023. Prior to closure Edinburgh Secure Service had 6 secure care beds                 

[Note 3] Since 2016, the binary question was asked: “does the young person have a mental or physical impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities?”. Prior to 2016, additional support needs categories were asked for.

Placement prior to admission

During 2022-23, just over a third (34%) of children admitted to secure care had a prior placement in a residential school with a further 30% from foster care or a children’s home (Table 4). A further 14% were in a prior placement with relatives, friends or the parental home.

Table 4 Admissions.

Number of children admitted to secure care during the year by sex and placement prior to admission, 2022-23 [Note 1], [Note 2], [Note 3].

[Note 1] Children can be admitted more than once during the year.

[Note 2] Where Male or Female sex was not specified these children have been included in the total.

[Note 3] 'Other' placement prior to admission may include supported accommodation, independent living, hospital, assessment centre and close support.

Destination on discharge

A total of 144 children were discharged from secure care during 2022-23. Of these the most common destination after discharge was to a residential school (25%) or into foster care or a children’s home (24%). A further 18% were discharged to a parental home or to relatives or friends (Table 5).

Table 5 Discharges.

Number of children discharged from secure care during the year by sex and destination on discharge, 2022-23 [Note 1], [Note 2], [Note 3].

[Note 1] Placement immediately after discharge during the year. Children can be discharged more than once during the year.

[Note 2] Where Male or Female sex was not specified these children have been included in the total.

[Note 3] ‘Other’ placement after discharge includes supported accommodation, independent living, hospital, assessment centre or close support.

Medical care during stay

A total of 138 (96%) children received medical care during their stay (Table 6). Common types of medical were care or treatment to assist mental well-being (94%), general health discussions or advice (94%) and general physical health care or treatment (94%). Further to this 86% of children received sexual health care during their stay and 82% received dental treatment or check-ups.

Table 6 Medical care.

Number and percentage of children discharged from secure care during the year who received medical care during their stay, 2022-23 [Note 1].

[Note 1] Children can be discharged more than once during the year.                                             

Cross UK Comparisons

Cross UK comparisons for Secure Care Accommodation data for Scotland, England, and Wales can be found below (Table 7).  Please note that Scotland totals include children who are from elsewhere in the UK. Similarly, the totals for England and Wales may include some children from other parts of the UK.

Table 7 Cross UK comparisons.

Cross UK comparisons of number of secure care accommodation services, places approved, and children accommodated, 31 March 2014-2023 [Note 1], [Note 2], [Note 3], [Note 4], [Note 5], [Note 6], [Note 7].

[Note 1] Please note that the legal routes into secure care can vary between the UK countries.

[Note 2] Source for England and Wales available from Statistics: secure children’s homes.

[Note 3] For Northern Ireland, official/national statistics are not produced on secure care accommodation.

[Note 4] The figures from outside Scotland include children placed on welfare grounds only.

[Note 5] Scotland total includes a number of children from the rest of the UK, so trends in each country based on the children's origin may be different.

[Note 6] To allow for comparison with England and Wales, Scotland's data within this table is at 31 March for all years with the exception of 2020 for which it is at 29 February.

[Note 7] Please note that Edinburgh Secure Service closed on 30 June 2023. Prior to closure Edinburgh Secure Service had 6 secure care beds.