Vision statement two: Scotland must limit the number of moves that children experience and support carers to continue to care
Where living with their family is not possible, there must be sufficient availability of carers who can provide stable loving homes for children and young people.
Care Homes for children and young people and residential additional support needs schools workforce:
i. Size of WTE (Whole-time equivalent) workforce, rounded to the nearest 10
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6, 860 |
| 2023 | 6, 440 |
| 2022 | 6, 430 |
| 2021 | 6, 310 |
| 2020 | 6, 760 |
| 2019 | 6, 480 |
ii. Vacancy rate in Care Homes for children and young people
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Not available yet |
| 2023 | 7.5% |
| 2022 | 7.4 |
| 2021 | 7.9% |
| 2020 | 4.9% |
| 2019 | 5.6% |
iii. Vacancy rate in additional support needs schools
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Not available yet |
| 2023 | 7.2% |
| 2022 | 7.2% |
| 2021 | 7.2% |
| 2020 | 3.9% |
| 2019 | 4.8% |
Notes
Last updated: From September 2025
Next Update due: From September 2026
Expanded Content
Since the baseline year (2019) the WTE number of staff in care homes for children and young people and residential special school has undergone a period of instability. It increased in 2020 (continuing a period of growth), fell in 2021, by a notable 7% to below pre-pandemic levels and has since been rising. At Dec 2024 it was at a higher level than the baseline year.The recent WTE increase is driven by increases in WTE of care homes for children and young people.
The fall in 2021 was in residential special schools. Care homes for children and young people did not experience a fall, instead they saw an increase in their WTE in 2021, and each year thereafter bar 2022 where if fell by a modest 10 WTE.
At Dec 2024 residential special school’s WTE remains below the baseline year level (27% less).
Since 2020 there have been 9 cancelled residential special school services and 4 new registrations. This will affect the WTE staff numbers.
When the WTE fell in 2021 the vacancy rate increased in care homes and residential special schools. Prior to that (between 2019 and 2020) it had decreased in both service types.
The most recent vacancy rate (December 2023) is around 7% for both service types, which is higher than the baseline year.