Children reported with developmental concerns up sharply since Covid, data shows

The number of children in Scotland with developmental concerns has sharply increased since the Covid pandemic, figures show.

The percentage of four and five-year-olds who were recorded as having one or more developmental concern has nearly doubled since 2019, according to data released by Public Health Scotland (PHS).

A fifth (19.97%) of all children assessed in that age group were found to be of concern in the first quarter of this year, up from just under 12% in 2019.

However, the latest data for the second quarter of 2024 showed the number fell to 17.7%.

Children in that age group struggled most with emotional and behavioural skills, at 10.88% at the start of the year, which was closely followed by issues with speech, language and communication at 9.31%.

Whilst the biggest post-pandemic spike was found within four and five-year-olds, the PHS figures also show an increase among all ages that were assessed.

Some 14.64% of children reviewed between 13 and 15 months were found to have had developmental issues between January and March this year.

That compares to 12.39% during the same period in 2019.

A lack of gross motor skills was the most common issue found within this age group, at 7.3% this year.

Meanwhile, the number of issues found during 27 to 30-month reviews rose from 14.72% in 2019 to 16.68% this year.

Speech, language and communication skills were found to have suffered most for this age group, with around 11.93% reporting issues this year.

A report last year found “persistent inequalities” in child developmental concerns remain in Scotland, with those from more deprived areas being more likely to experience them.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have urged the Scottish Government to do more to support children from poorer backgrounds.

Education spokesman Willie Rennie said: “Scotland’s children should be growing up in the best environment, but on the SNP’s watch far too many are showing developmental concerns.

“The pandemic was incredibly challenging for parents and children.

“Rather than invest to support families, SNP ministers have fallen short.

“The Government must put in place extra support for all those children who have had a developmental concern noted.

“I want to see ministers doing everything in their power to ensure that issues are identified and addressed as early as possible so that every child can flourish, no matter their background or circumstance.”

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “We want to ensure every child has the best start in life, which is why we are committed to reducing developmental concerns at the 27-30 month check by a quarter by 2030.

“The risk of developmental concerns is linked to child poverty, which is why ending it is the top priority of this Government and we support families through a range of actions.

“These include our Baby Box programme, our Scottish Child Payment (which is only available in Scotland), funded early learning and childcare places for three to five-year-olds and our Family Nurse Partnership which supports first time young parents from pregnancy until the child reaches two.”