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:
| School | Provider | Location |
| Children’s Home | Algrade Trust | Humbie |
| Donaldson’s School for Deaf Children | The Donaldson Trust | Edinburgh |
| Harmeny School | Harmeny Education Trust | Balerno |
| Ladyfield East Unit, Crichton Royal Hospital Hannahfield Hall Unit, Crichton Royal Hospital Ladyfield West Unit, Crichton Royal Hospital Eskdale House Unit, Crichton Royal Hospital | NHS Dumfries & Galloway | Dumfries |
| Lendrick Muir School | Seamab | Rumbling Bridge |
| Lennox Castle Hospital | NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, and East Dunbartonshire Council | Lennoxtown, Glasgow |
| Linnwood 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 |