Scheme open for applications
A Scottish Government scheme to provide survivors of historical child abuse in care with financial redress has opened for applications.
Those eligible can apply to request an apology and redress payments ranging from £10,000 up to £100,000.
The process has been shaped by the views of survivors and will be delivered by the Scottish Government and Redress Scotland.
Background
View information, applications forms and guidance on the scheme.
From 10am on Thursday, 9 December, phone lines will open for those who would like application packs posted to them. They can call 0808 175 0808 for survivor applications or 0808 281 7777 for next of kin applications.
A team of specially-trained case workers will help all applicants at each stage of the application process. Callers from abroad should call +44 131 297 6500. Phone lines are open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm until 21 December and again from 5 January 2022.
The scheme's opening comes after the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 received Royal Assent in April.
Where a survivor died on or after 1 December 2004, their spouse, partner or cohabitant, or if no one eligible is in that category, their children, may be able to apply for a next of kin redress payment of £10,000.
The scheme, as set out in the Act, is about responding to the abuse of children in residential care. The Act covers two broad categories of settings. The first, where children were "in care" because their families were unable to look after them at home and, the second, where children were subject to some form of intervention by a body exercising public functions and were therefore living away from their family. More information on eligibility.
The Advance Payment Scheme for survivors with a terminal illness or who are over 68 will now close. It was set up in April 2019 to cover the period until the redress scheme opened and has made fixed redress payments of £10,000 to over 700 applicants.
What is the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was set up on 1 October 2015 to look into the abuse of children in care.
The time period covered by the Inquiry is from 1930 to December 2014.
The Terms of Reference of the Inquiry are on the Inquiry website. The overall aim of the Inquiry is to l raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care and will provide an opportunity for public acknowledgement of the suffering of those children.
The Inquiry will report to Scottish Government Ministers with recommendations about the law, policies and practices in Scotland to ensure children are protected in the future. The report will also be presented to the Scottish Parliament.
The Inquiry continues to take evidence from people who were abused.
How can you contact the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry?
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - Witness Support team
If you think you may be interested in speaking to the Witness Support team you can contact them in the following ways:
- Tel: 0800 0929 300
- Email: talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot
- Address: PO Box 24085, Edinburgh, EH7 9EA
- Website: www.childabuseinquiry.scot
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - General enquiries
If you wish to seek information, guidance or support, the Inquiry Team will be able to assist you.
- Tel: 0300 244 8070
- Email: information@childabuseinquiry.scot
Sources of support
Future Pathways
Future Pathways offers help and support to people who were abused or neglected as children while they were living in care in Scotland.
- 0808 164 2005 (Lines are open Monday to Friday 10am-6pm)
- registration@future-pathways.co.uk
- www.future-pathways.co.uk
The National Confidential Forum
A confidential service available from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
- 0800 121 4773
Samaritans
A confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 116 123 free from any phone
- 0330 094 5717 local call charges apply
- Perth@samaritans.org
- https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/branches/perth/
In Care Survivors Service Scotland
A confidential helpline is available 9am to 11am, Monday to Friday.
- 0800 121 6027
- Info@wellbeingscotland.org
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