The number of foster care households and approved adoptions in Scotland has continued to decrease, according to a new report by the Care Inspectorate.

The report, Fostering and Adoption Statistical Bulletin 2024-2025, published today, provides insight into the operation of fostering, adoption and continuing care services in Scotland over the past five years. At 31 December 2024, there were just over 11,000 care services registered with the Care Inspectorate. This includes 38 adoption and 58 fostering services which are provided by the local authority and the voluntary/not-for-profit sectors.

Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “Foster care and adoption services are vital for assessing, approving and supporting foster carers and prospective adoptive parents to care for children at a crucial point in their lives. All children need high-quality care that meets their emotional and wellbeing needs. Matching children to families who can provide high-quality care is essential to help children thrive.

“All of us have a role in helping children in Scotland thrive. We hope that the insights in this report can play a part in improving and strengthening the supports which are in place for children and young people through adoption, fostering and continuing care services.”

Key points

Foster care in Scotland

The number of foster care households in Scotland continued to decrease.

  • At 31 December 2024, there were 2,828 approved foster care households down 5.7% from 2,998 in 2023.
  • The proportion of households approved for all placement types (65%) was higher than the four preceding years.
  • There were 191 new households approved in 2024 which is the first increase for five years, breaking the downward trend.

The number of children and young people living in foster families continued to decrease.

  • At 31 December 2024, there were 3,680 children and young people living in foster families, down from 3,918 the previous year.
  • As with previous years, there were more children placed in interim placements (1,464) compared to permanent (1,087) or long-term (1,071).
  • 233 children experienced an unplanned ending of their placement in 2024, the fewest over the last five years.
  • Fostering services reported that 75 children seeking asylum and refuge began using their services during 2024, and on 31 December 2024 there were still 90 children seeking asylum and refuge using a fostering service.

Not all family groups of children are placed together.

  • In 2024, similar to each of the previous four years, 24% of the family groups placed in foster care households were placed separately (some following assessment, others due to emergency situations and lack of resources).
  • 75% of services said they had difficulties in 2024 recruiting households that will take family groups of children, similar to previous years.

In 2024, 50 fostering services said they have a continuing care service.

  • In 2024, there were in total 517 approved continuing care households up 15.4% from 448 in 2023 and higher than the four preceding years.
  • In 2024, 518 young people were accommodated in a continuing care placement up 15.6% from 448 in 2023 and higher than the four preceding years.

Adoption in Scotland

The number of children and young people approved for adoption has continued the general downward trend.

  • In 2024, there were 190 children approved for adoption, 4% fewer than the previous year.
  • 170 children were placed with their new adoptive families (2.3% fewer than the previous year) and 161 children were legally adopted (9.6% fewer than the previous year).

The age profile of children approved for adoption continues to be stable.

  • In 2024, 43% of children approved for adoption were in the two to five year age bracket and 52% were infants (younger than two years old), consistent with the previous year.

A small number of adoptions broke down in 2024, and this number continues to be variable from year to year.

  • In 2024, 23 adoptions broke down, similar to the 22 in 2023.

The number of adoptive households approved continued the downward trend.

  • There were 166 new adoptive households approved in 2024, 33 fewer than in 2023, and the lowest number reported over the five-year period.

The number of households waiting for a child to be placed decreased and is now at the lowest level over the five-year period.

  • In 2024, 137 households were waiting for a child to be placed.
  • At the same time, there were 133 children approved for adoption and waiting to be matched to an adoptive household (relatively consistent over the past five years).

The full report can be read here.