Announcement: the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is holding public hearings about Donaldson’s School for the Deaf in September and October 2025.
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) is currently investigating the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities.
Public hearings relating to schools which provided specialist residential care for deaf children started in August 2025, with a focus on 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 phase of investigations 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.
Public hearings – Donaldson’s School for the Deaf
Public hearings will be held at the Inquiry’s venue at Mint House, 20 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA. They are open to the public. You do not need to let us know in advance if you are attending.
Evidence relating to Donaldson’s School for the Deaf will be BSL translated by interpreters for members of the public.
Hearings about Donaldson’s School for the Deaf will be held on:
- 23rd, 24th and 30th September 2025
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th October 2025
Contact us
Please check the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry website (www.childabuseinquiry.scot) for the latest details or contact our Witness Support Team for further information:
- With a BSL interpreter through Contact Scotland BSL and/or Relay UK
- Email: talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot
- Phone: 0800 0929 300