To be a 'core participant', you must have a significant role in what is being investigated by the Inquiry. A core participant can be a person, a group, or an organisation. The significant role may concern all or only some of what the Inquiry is looking into.

A core participant is more involved in the process of an inquiry than a member of the public.

The Inquiry Chair decides who is a core participant.

There are detailed rules (called a protocol) on core participant status and an application form for anyone who wants to apply to be one. You can find a link to the protocol and application form at the foot of this page.

The following organisations or individuals have been designated as core participants so far:

  • FBGA (Former Boys and Girls Abused at Quarriers Homes)
  • INCAS (In Care Abuse Survivors)
  • the Chief Constable of Police Scotland
  • Quarriers
  • the Scottish Ministers
  • the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul
  • the Church of Scotland Social Care Council ('CrossReach')
  • the Care Inspectorate
  • Barnardo's
  • the Sisters of Nazareth
  • the Lord Advocate
  • the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
  • Aberlour
  • the Marist Brothers
  • the Congregation of Christian Brothers
  • the English Benedictine Congregation
  • Loretto School
  • Gordonstoun
  • Merchiston Castle School
  • the Secretary of State for Defence, in respect of Queen Victoria School
  • Fettes College
  • Morrison’s Academy
  • His Majesty’s Government

Last updated 24/01/2024

Download the protocol and application form