The University of Edinburgh hosted a significant event on 18 September 2024, marking the launch of the Phase Two Findings Report for the North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose. Ms Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, attended the event, and emphasised the Scottish Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children.
The Bairns’ Hoose programme, inspired by the Nordic Barnahus model, represents a transformative approach to supporting children who have experienced violence or abuse. It aims to provide a comprehensive, child-centred approach to care and justice. The event, chaired by Professor John Devaney, brought together key partners in the programme, including a number of Pathfinder partnerships, Scottish Government representatives and third sector organisations.
In her address, Ms Don-Innes congratulated the North Strathclyde partnership on their progress and thanked the University of Edinburgh for the valuable report. She stated, “The Bairns’ Hoose programme represents a transformational approach to supporting children who have experienced violence or abuse. It is an ambitious programme – one that challenges us to think differently about how we work together to protect and support children and young people.” On the report, Ms Don-Innes added, “It will add to the rich learning being gathered from the Pathfinder phase of the programme as we look to ensure that any child in Scotland, who has been a victim or witness of abuse or harm has access to a Bairns’ Hoose.”
The Phase Two Findings Report, authored by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Children 1st, highlighted significant progress in the North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose. The report noted that since September 2023, the North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose has become the preferred choice for Joint Investigative Interviews, accounting for 68% of all interviews. The Children 1st Recovery Team has commenced work with 153 children and their families, and the remote justice suite has started to be used.
The event included an expert panel discussion focusing on keeping children at the centre of Bairns’ Hoose developments, building effective partnerships, and utilising evidence and learning to support change and improve outcomes for children. Panellists included representatives from local councils, Children 1st, Victim Support Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, and the Scottish Government.
Ms Don-Innes outlined the government’s commitment to the programme, stating, ” Since 2021, we have consistently included a commitment to Bairns’ Hoose in our Programme for Government, most recently reaffirmed in our 2024 Programme for Government announced by the First Minister this month.” She also highlighted the substantial funding of nearly £10 million committed since the Pathfinder launch.
Looking to the future, the Minister emphasised the vision for Bairns’ Hoose in Scotland: ensuring that all children who have been victims or witnesses of abuse or violence have access to trauma-informed recovery, support, and justice. The Pathfinder phase will continue until spring 2027, followed by an incremental national rollout from 2027, allowing time to embed transformative approaches in child protection across Scotland.
Back row (left to right):
Kate Rocks (Inverclyde Council); Mary Glasgow (Children 1st); John Devaney (University of Edinburgh); Anna O’Reilly (Children 1st); Chris Wretman (University of Edinburgh); Kate Wallace (Victim Support Scotland)
Front row (left to right):
Louise Hill (Children 1st); Carol Duncan (University of Edinburgh); Shawnna von Blixen-Finecke (Barnahus Network); Natalie Don-Innes MSP (Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise); Mary Mitchell (University of Edinburgh); Camille Warrington (University of Bedfordshire); Jennifer Lavoie (University of Edinburgh); Eilidh Lamb (University of Edinburgh)
Photographer: Sam Ingram-Sills, Whitedog Photography
Photograph courtesy of the University of Edinburgh
