SIRCC is now a part of CELCIS (Centre for excellence for looked after children in Scotland)
Click here to visit our new website: www.celcis.org
The current context for Scotland's residential child care services is described below (including the latest available statistics). Further background information is available in Home Truths: Residential Child Care in Scotland A Context Paper.
SIRCC's Residential Unit Database (RUD) identifies 256 residential establishments throughout Scotland in 2007. Residential child care is provided in:
| Setting | No. of Children |
|---|---|
| Total | 1,638 |
| Local authority homes | 737 |
| Voluntary and private sector provision | 84 |
| Residential schools | 663 |
| Secure accommodation | 78 |
| Other residential accommodation** | 76 |
The RUD indicates 4,688 child care staff employed in residential child care in Scotland in 2007:
The residential child care workforce is becoming increasingly more qualified. SIRCC has undertaken audits of the qualification levels of the workforce. Results from the 2007 Audit show a marked increase in qualified staff who have achieved qualifications and remained in the sector since the 2004 Audit:
| Currently Qualified | Qualified When Achieved Current Award | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2007 | |
| Totals | 18% | 32% | 29% | 54% |
| Manager | 7% | 39% | 24% | 66% |
| Supervisor | 30% | 39% | 39% | 64% |
| Care Worker | 16% | 30% | 28% | 51% |
* All figures are from Scottish Executive Looked After Children statistics 2005-06 unless otherwise stated. Scottish Executive, (2006).
** Other residential accommodation: in women's refuge, in local authority hostel for offenders, in voluntary hostel for offenders, in local authority hostel for drug/alcohol abusers, in voluntary hostel for drug/alcohol abusers (Scottish Executive, 2005-06 Children Looked After Survey Guidance notes)
Click here to visit our new website: www.celcis.org