The numbers of children being taken into care has increased in the Highlands by 12% each year since 2004, according to a council report.
Many of the 502 "looked after" youngsters are in foster care or with kinship carers, such as grandparents.
Alcohol and drug abuse within families were reported to be behind the rise.
The figures are in a report for Thursday's full council meeting when councillors will be asked to take on corporate parenting responsibilities.
The role includes making children's needs a priority.
Also, accepting responsibility for all children in the council's care and ensuring support for their education.
Council officials report the increase in young people becoming involved with local authority services was similar to rises across Scotland.
Of the 502 Highland cases, 227 are in supervision at home and 275 away from home.
The majority - 113 are with foster parents - followed by 65 with kinship carers.
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