The number of people in Scotland living with a welfare guardianship has reached a record high of almost 18,000.

Courts appoint a welfare guardianship order when a person lacks the capacity to make some or all decisions for themselves.

It is usually a relative that takes the role, but a local authority can be appointed, with the order most commonly used for people with learning disabilities or dementia.

Figures published by the Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) show 17,849 people had such an order in place in March 2023.

That is the highest on record since the Adults with Incapacity Act came into effect in 2000, and is up 4.4% from 17,101 in 2022.

A decade ago in 2013, 8,717 people had a welfare guardianship order, with figures rising steadily since, prompting the MWC to reiterate its calls for reform.

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