Bairns Hoose

Victim Support Scotland is proud to have been involved in this ground-breaking project which will demonstrate a gold-standard of support and care for children who have been harmed, all under one roof.

Designed in partnership with children, and with their needs in mind right from the start, the Bairns Hoose provides a calm and welcoming environment for child victims.  It has built upon similar models in other countries and is something that Scotland can be truly proud of.

Navigating Scotland’s justice system is confusing, often retraumatising and complex. Victim Support Scotland is committed to working with partners so that children and young people are able to access services which will help them to get the support they need to recover and thrive, all offered in a trauma-informed environment that meets their needs. The Bairns Hoose will transform the experience of children who need protection and specialist help in moving forward following what they have experienced.

Progress would not have been possible without all partners who have collaborated with the sole vision to provide specialist services to Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people through the Bairns Hoose model. Victim Support Scotland is extremely grateful to Children 1st in particular who have led on this project and worked tirelessly to ensure the vision was brought to life.

A catalyst for change
Children and families repeatedly tell us that the justice system causes them further harm. Many children have said they found our current system of justice more traumatic than the experience that brought them into contact with the system. The impact can last a lifetime.

By reducing the number of times a child needs to talk about what’s happened to them the Bairns Hoose will ensure children get justice, reduce the trauma they experience and can begin to recover more quickly. Our ambition is that this first Child’s House will be a catalyst for change that transforms our systems of care and justice across  Scotland and Great Britain.

Watch an interview with Children 1st Chief Executive, Mary Glasgow, about the Child’s House on Rooftop TV.

Thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery
The Child’s House for Healing is being built thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. It’s been made possible through £1.5 million of funding, awarded through the Postcode Dream Fund in March 2020. We are so incredibly grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support, and making the dream for child victims and witnesses come true.

Progress towards a Bairns Hoose for Scotland

To access news and blogs on Bairns Hoose from the Children 1st website, click here.

You can also find out more about the vision for a Bairns Hoose on the Scottish Government website.

This page will be updated with the latest information about the Child’s House for Healing, as it progresses.