News

Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), has today (25 June) published her findings relating to the provision of residential care for children at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) will begin hearing evidence relating to Phase 9 of its investigations on Tuesday (29 April). 

The evidence will relate to the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities.

A range of organisations have been involved in the provision of such care, including the National Health Service, local authorities, voluntary providers, and private providers. 

A spokesperson for SCAI said:

‘Over the next three weeks our focus will be on healthcare settings – primarily those which provided for children with learning disabilities or mental health needs. This will cover provision by three NHS institutions – Lennox Castle, Ladyfield (and other units at the Crichton Royal) – and the Royal Scottish National Hospital. It will also cover St Joseph’s, Rosewell (operated by the Daughters of Charity), and Algrade (operated by the Algrade Trust). 

‘In late May, the focus will move to other settings, including residential schools providing for children with additional support needs. Towards the end of the case study, later in the summer, we will hear evidence relative to residential schools which provided specialist residential care for  deaf or visually impaired children, including Donaldson’s School for the Deaf and St Vincent’s School for the Deaf and Blind.’

The period examined by SCAI’s investigations into abuse at these establishments extends from within living memory until the end of 2014.

This case study will explore the nature and extent of all forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse including the abusive use of corporal punishment and restraint.

Reporting systems and the wide-ranging impact of abuse have been and continue to be aspects of SCAI’s investigations, as are staff recruitment, training, and organisational culture; these will also be explored during the case study.

The case study will include the presentation of evidence from individuals who experienced and/or witnessed abuse when in residential care in one of these settings, from relevant experts, from regulatory bodies, and from providers.

Hearings will be held at the Inquiry’s venue at Mint House, 20 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA. 

Opening submissions from all parties with leave to appear will begin on Tuesday, 29 April. 

Today the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) will begin hearing closing submissions relating to Phase 8 of its investigations. 

The focus of the case study has been the abuse of children in residential accommodation for young offenders under 18, children and young persons under 18 awaiting trial, and young persons under 18 in need of care and protection.

A range of organisations were directly responsible for the provision of the residential care, including local authorities, religious bodies, voluntary organisations, and the Scottish Prison Service.

Phase 8 began in September 2023 and concluded on 31 January 2025 after over 150 days of oral hearings. The evidence of 454 applicants was covered in the case study, with 133 applicants and 101 other witnesses providing oral evidence.

Thirty-nine establishments were investigated in the case study, and many individuals provided evidence not only of their own experiences but also of the experiences of others, including siblings or friends who were unable to give evidence themselves.

SCAI’s investigations into abuse at those establishments covered the period from 1930 to 2014.

The case study explored the nature and extent of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse including the abusive use of corporal punishment, restraint, and segregation.

Senior counsel to SCAI Colin MacAulay KC said: ‘Applicants across all establishments spoke of the impact, often lifelong, of their experiences in these settings. 

‘Some common themes in that regard were:

• having a lack of trust in people, especially those in authoritative positions
• a negative impact on education and lifelong learning
• an inability to form and maintain relationships
• a fear of doors and locked spaces even within their own homes
• a feeling of shame about sharing their experiences – with their partners and family in some instances as well as in more formal settings
• a belief that being in these settings in the first place introduced applicants to a life of crime that they went on to become involved in
• the effect on their mental health and that, in many cases, leading to addiction, such as to alcohol and/or drugs

‘It is quite striking that of the 454 applicants in total, 313 – approximately two-thirds – entered the care system in need of care and protection.

‘The evidence of many, if not most, of the applicants throughout the phase was that they did not report what was happening to them in these settings at the time.

‘Some said they had no one to tell. Some said they had been scared to do so. Some feared that reporting would make their situation worse. Other applicants said that, as children, they did not know that what was happening to them constituted abuse.

‘The evidence of many was that they feared they would not be believed. Some applicants described being warned not to report and being told that there could be real consequence for themselves or their families if they did so.’

Closing submissions from all parties with leave to appear will begin today and run for three days. 

Wednesday 12 February (commencing at 10 am)

• Inquiry counsel
• INCAS
• De La Salle order
• Salesians of Don Bosco
• East Lothian Council
• South Lanarkshire Council
• Archdiocese of Glasgow
• St Philip’s School
• St Mary’s Kenmure
• The Good Shepherd Sisters
• Renfrewshire Council
• Glasgow City Council

Thursday 13 February (commencing at 2 pm)

• Church of Scotland Social Care Council
• Archdiocese of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh
• Loaningdale School Company Limited
• Dr Guthrie's Boys & Girls
• Rossie Young Peoples Trust 
• Aberdeen City Council
• Inverclyde Council
• Kibble Education and Care Centre

Friday 14 February (commencing at 10 am)

• City of Edinburgh Council
• HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
• Care Inspectorate 
• Police Scotland
• Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Scottish Government

We have been made aware of a possible tragic incident involving an individual who has been engaging with the Inquiry.

Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.

In the interests of transparency, SCAI has commissioned an independent review to consider all aspects of its interactions with the individual. The review will be carried out by Jason Beer KC, an eminent public law silk highly experienced in public inquiries, and head of ‘5 Essex Chambers’, barristers’ chambers in London.

Mr Beer has agreed the terms of reference for the independent review.

This announcement provides more information about future Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) case study hearings.

Phase 10 of SCAI’s investigations concerns the provision of residential care for children and young people in establishments run by local authorities. This phase will also cover any establishments run by voluntary providers if they were used by local authorities to place children into care.

This is a category of residential care that requires to be investigated under SCAI’s wide-ranging Terms of Reference.

It is expected that public hearings for this phase will commence in the second half of 2025. 

Investigation of establishments in this category has been ongoing throughout the life of the Inquiry, and many relevant statements have already been provided. Applicants and other witnesses who have relevant evidence to provide are encouraged to come forward. 

As part of its preparatory work, SCAI regularly reviews the stages that all its investigations have reached and may, if necessary, add to its list of focused investigations. 

Ponton House in Edinburgh has now been added to SCAI’s list of focused investigations under the category ‘Non-religious/Voluntary organisations’. The full list can be found here. The listed investigations are ongoing, and further information on which institutions are to form part of a case study will be announced in due course. 

Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said: ‘The Inquiry’s wide-ranging Terms of Reference include requiring us to investigate the provision of residential care for children in establishments run by local authorities.

‘They also require investigations to focus on establishments into which local authorities placed children in care.

‘We plan to hold public hearings and expect that they will be able to commence in the second half of 2025.

‘Our investigations have been ongoing throughout the life of the Inquiry.

‘A number of people have already come forward, but we would encourage anyone with relevant information to get in touch with the Inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.’

The Inquiry’s witness support team can be contacted on 0800 0929 300, or emailed at 

talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot

Individuals can also write to the Inquiry by post at SCAI, PO Box 24202, Edinburgh EH3 1JN.

SCAI launched a new website earlier this year which includes a range of features to improve accessibility, such as the ‘Recite Me’ assistive toolbar and a series of short videos with captions and British Sign Language interpretation.

Further details about this case study will be announced in due course.

In spring 2025 the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) will begin its public hearings in relation to Phase 9 of its investigations: The provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities.

SCAI’s investigations into this area of residential care have been ongoing throughout the life of the Inquiry.

The organisations involved in the provision of such residential accommodation included the National Health Service, local authorities, voluntary providers, and private providers.

The period examined by SCAI’s investigations into abuse at those establishments extends from within living memory until the end of 2014.

This case study will explore the nature and extent of all forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse including the abusive use of corporal punishment and restraint.

Reporting systems and the wide-ranging impact of abuse have been and continue to be aspects of SCAI’s investigations, as do staff recruitment, training, and organisational culture; these will also be explored during the case study.

The case study will include the presentation of evidence from individuals who experienced abuse when in residential care in one of these settings, from relevant experts, from regulatory bodies, and from providers.

It may include evidence from a range of other witnesses in relation to a number of particular establishments. Hearings will be held at the Inquiry’s venue at Mint House, 20 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA. 

At this stage, applications may be made for leave to appear for this case study. Anyone wishing to apply should do so as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than Friday 24 January 2025. 

What is involved in having leave to appear is explained on the Inquiry’s website: www.childabuseinquiry.scot/procedure/pre-hearing-procedures. Application forms are also available on the website: www.childabuseinquiry.scot/procedure/application-leave-appear.

Members of the public do not need leave to appear to watch hearings from the public areas in the Inquiry’s venue. They are welcome to do so at any time.

SCAI has also created an Easy Read information guide with simple language and pictures to help people understand more about the Inquiry. This is now available on the website: www.childabuseinquiry.scot/accessibility-support

Seventeen establishments have now been confirmed as being included in the case study: 

Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, has today (Tuesday 22 October) published her findings relating to the provision of residential care for children at Queen Victoria School (QVS).

This announcement provides further information about Phase 8 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry’s (SCAI) investigations.

The focus of this substantial case study is residential accommodation provided or used by the state between 1930 and 2014 to accommodate (a) young offenders under the age of 18 (and children and young persons under 18 awaiting trial) and (b) children and young persons under 18 in need of care and protection. This accommodation was managed by a range of providers including local authorities, religious bodies, voluntary bodies, and the Scottish Prison Service. 

SCAI began public hearings in relation to Phase 8 of its investigations in September 2023. So far, it has heard evidence regarding a range of institutions. Transcripts can be found on the Inquiry’s website: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry | Evidence Hub 

These public hearings are ongoing. Chapter 9 hearings, focusing on Balnacraig, Perth, Balrossie, Oakbank School, Aberdeen, and Thornly Park, Paisley began on 24 September 2024, with closing submissions regarding this chapter scheduled to take place on Wednesday 23 October 2024.

Hearings in relation to Phase 8 are expected to continue until early in 2025. This announcement provides further information about the next chapters within the case study.

Three chapters remain in Phase 8:

• Chapter 10, examining Brimmond Assessment Centre, Newfield Assessment Centre, and Beechwood, will begin on Tuesday 29 October
• Chapter 11, examining St Euphrasia’s / Dalbeth / Good Shepherd Centre, Kibble, and St Mary’s Kenmure (post-De La Salle), will begin on Thursday 28 November
• Chapter 12, examining Rossie / Rossie Farm, Wellington, Penicuik, St Katharine’s / Howdenhall / Gilmerton / Liberton Assessment Centre, and Edinburgh Secure Services (ESS), will begin on Tuesday 7 January 2025
   

Transcripts will be made available on the SCAI website in due course. 

If you have relevant information to share, get in touch with the Inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.

The Inquiry’s witness support team can be contacted by phone on 0800 0929 300, or by email at talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot. Individuals can also write to the Inquiry by post at SCAI, PO Box 24202, Edinburgh EH3 1JN.

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact the Inquiry direct through its online sign language interpreter at www.ContactScotland-bsl.org. People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can contact the Inquiry using the Relay UK service. The SCAI website also includes a range of accessibility features such as the ‘Recite Me’ toolbar and a series of short BSL videos.

This announcement provides further information about a future Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) case study.