Research and data in the Scottish Borders: People

Health and wellbeing: children and young people

Why is it important to have data about health and wellbeing in children?

The Scottish Government National Performance Framework states that "Children and young people should grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential". Every child should have equal opportunity to achieve this regardless of gender, background or any other Equalities protected characteristic. We use the latest research and data to make sure Scottish Borders plays its part in making this outcome happens in our region. The information on this page is an analysis of the policy framework, the topics and the evidence that informs this national outcome.

Scottish Borders Policy framework

Corporate Plan

The 2022-23 Scottish Borders Council Plan is key to our policy framework on how we plan to deliver services in the next few years. It consists of six corporate outcome priorities, which are informed by an evidence base, including the Strategic Assessment. 

Children and young people are central to the following priority outcomes:

  • 2: "Fulfilling our potential"
  • 5: "Good health and wellbeing"

You can see how we are delivering on these outcomes in our quarterly and annual performance reports.

 Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 sets out the requirements for public bodies to work together to report on what they are doing to progress the rights of children and young people, and to produce an integrated strategy and Action Plan, which is refreshed annually. The Scottish Borders Integrated Children and Young People's Plan is run by Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership (CPP) and is informed by an evidence base of Official Statistics and internally-held data.

Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 requires the Scottish Government to meet four income-based child poverty targets by 2030 and report on the actions they will take to meet those targets. In addition, the Act places a duty on Local Authorities and Health Boards to report annually on what they are doing to contribute to reducing child poverty. The Scottish Borders Local Child Poverty Action Report is informed by an evidence base of official statistics and internal intelligence from frontline work in the local community.

Find our more about our strategies for children and young people.

Topic areas

There is a large amount of evidence from official statistics to inform children and young people policy development, across a wide range of topic areas.

Demographics of children and young people

Mothers and babies

Toddlers and pre-school

School age children - dental health

School age children - physical health

School age children - mental health and wellbeing

Children's lifestyles and physical activity

Health and wellbeing in children and young adults

  • statistics on the rate of Alcohol-related hospital admissions, of Drug-related hospital admissions, and of suicides, for males and females aged 11-25, are available on the Children and Young People profile of the ScotPHO Online Profiling tool
  • statistics on young people aged 15-25 admitted to hospital due to assult are available on the Children and Young People profile of the ScotPHO Online Profiling tool
  • statistics on the rate of pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 15-19 are available on the Health and Wellbeing and the Children and Young People profiles of the ScotPHO Online Profiling tool

Children and young people living with deprivation and inequality

Children and young people who are at risk of harm, neglect or offending

Official Statistics are available on these topics at Scottish Borders Council/ Health Board level and sometimes below. If you work, volunteer or study in the Scottish Borders and would like help using these statistics, contact us using the contact details below.

Research and Data in the Scottish Borders

Research and information team

Contact the Corporate Performance and Information Research and Information Team for demographics research-related enquiries

Address: Council Headquarters
Newtown St. Boswells
Melrose
TD6 0SA

Telephone: 01835 824000