8 per 1,000 children aged under 18 looked after in 2003/04 (11 per 1,000 in Scotland)
23% of looked-after children were under five (18 per cent in Scotland)
38% of children looked after away from home with three or more placements (30 per cent in Scotland)
2.2 per 1,000 children aged 0-15 on child protection register (2.4 per 1,000 in Scotland)
Scottish Borders council says the increase in the number of under-fives being looked after away from home is because of an increased commitment to preventative and early intervention work, a rise in the number of parents misusing alcohol and drugs, and an increase in parents with learning disabilities. The number of children who have had three or more placements is due to the demand for placements putting increasing pressure on the council's resources.
Source: Scottish Executive.
