This announcement provides information about a future Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) case study. Commencing in Spring 2022, public hearings into the abuse of children in foster care will begin.
This includes children who were boarded out, as well as children who were placed in foster care by a Scottish local authority.
Part one of the case study will feature evidence from relevant experts and regulatory bodies to provide context and scene setting. The Inquiry will then hear evidence from individuals who experienced abuse in foster care as well as a range of other witnesses
Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said: “Many people have already come forward, but we would encourage anyone with relevant evidence to get in touch with the Inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone with more recent experience of foster care.”
SCAI’s Terms of Reference allow the Inquiry to consider evidence up to 17 December 2014, and which is within living memory of any person who suffered abuse. Foster care is a substantial case study, and it is expected the case study will run for several months.
The Inquiry’s witness support team can be phoned 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.