Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry announces Phase 9 of investigations

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

Phase 9 of SCAI’s investigations concerns the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long term healthcare needs, additional support needs and disabilities.

It is expected that public hearings will commence in spring 2025. This is an area of residential care that requires investigation as part of SCAI’s wide ranging terms of reference.

Investigation of this category of establishments has been ongoing throughout the life of the Inquiry and many relevant statements have already been provided by applicants.

The provision of residential care by the following institutions are being considered as part of the case study:

School	Provider	Location
Children’s Home, Humbie	Algrade Trust	Humbie
Donaldson’s School for Deaf Children	The Donaldson Trust	Edinburgh
Harmeny School	Harmeny Trust	Balerno
Ladyfield West Children’s Hospital	NHS Dumfries & Galloway	Dumfries
Lendrick Muir School	Seamab	Rumbling Bridge
Lennox Castle Hospital	NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, and East Dunbartonshire Council	Lennoxtown, Glasgow
Linwood Hall Children’s Home	Fife Council	Leven
Melville House	Fife Council	Cupar
Monken Hadley / Corsbie Hall / Woodlands School	Independent	Newton Stewart
Ovenstone Residential School	Fife Council	Pittenweem
Royal Blind School	Royal Blind	Edinburgh
Royal Scottish National Hospital	NHS Forth Valley	Larbert
Starley Hall School	Independent	Burntisland
St Joseph’s Hospital	Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul	Rosewell
St Mary’s Balnakeil	Congregation of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God	Galashiels
St Vincent’s School for the Deaf and Blind	Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul	Tollcross, Glasgow
Woodfield Ladymary School	Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd	Colinton, Edinburgh

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 healthcare establishments providing long term care and also similar establishments.

“Phase 9 will, accordingly, examine the provision of residential care for children and young people who had long term healthcare needs, additional support needs, disabilities or a combination of those needs.

“We plan to hold public hearings and expect that they will be able to commence in spring 2025.

“A range of organisations were involved in the provision of such residential accommodation including the National Health Service, local authorities, voluntary and private providers.

“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 and includes a range of features to improve accessibility such as “Recite me” and a series of short British Sign Language videos.