This announcement provides further information about a future Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) case study.
Phase 10 investigations
Phase 10 of SCAI’s investigations concerns the provision of residential care for children and young people in establishments run by local authorities.
Investigations will also focus on establishments into which local authorities placed children in care.
It is expected that public hearings will commence in the second half of 2025. This is a category of residential care which SCAI’s wide-ranging Terms of Reference require it to investigate.
Investigation of this category has been ongoing throughout the life of the Inquiry, and many relevant statements have already been provided by a range of applicants.
As part of the Inquiry’s preparatory work, SCAI regularly reviews the stages that all its investigations have reached and may, if necessary, add to its list of focused investigations.
Fornethy House Residential School, Kilry, Angus, has now been added to its list of focused investigations involving local authorities. The list can be found via this link.
Lady Smith, Chair of SCAI, 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 ‘Recite me’ and a series of short British Sign Language videos.
Further details about this case study will be announced in due course.