Collection

Scotland's Redress Scheme

Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Law and order

Information about Scotland’s Redress Scheme which offers redress payments to people abused in care as children in the past, and some next of kin.

Introduction

Scotland’s Redress Scheme is open for applications. It makes redress payments to people who were abused while in care as children before 1 December 2004, and some next of kin. Non-financial redress is also available including apology and emotional support.

Applying for redress

Application forms for Scotland's Redress Scheme are available online at mygov.scot.

Find out more about Scotland's Redress Scheme, including who is eligible, how to apply and where to access support at the mygov.scot website - or call 0808 175 0808.

We are delivering the scheme alongside the independent body Redress Scotland. We handle applications and support survivors through the process, whilst Redress Scotland make decisions about applications.

The Redress Scotland website provides more information on timescales and how they make decisions.

Organisations

We have published Information for organisations considering participating in the Redress Scheme.

We have also published a list of organisations contributing to Scotland's Redress Scheme. This will be updated on a regular basis.

Statutory guidance

Statutory guidance has been produced to provide detailed information on the operation of Scotland's Redress Scheme.

Forms for solicitors

Forms and guidance for solicitors to use in connection with applications to Scotland's Redress Scheme.

Legislation

The law that set up the redress scheme is The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) Scotland Act 2021. This Act also establishes the new independent public body, Redress Scotland, to make decisions on redress applications.

Secondary legislation has been laid to set out further detail on some aspects of the redress scheme. See all secondary legislation.

Impact assessments

Redress Scotland

We are delivering the scheme alongside the independent body Redress Scotland. We will handle applications and support survivors through the process, whilst Redress Scotland will make decisions about applications.

The Redress Scotland website is at www.redress.scot.

Redress Scotland: panel members

Progress updates

Scotland's Redress Scheme: progress updates - November 2024

Contact

If you want to provide us with feedback about Scotland's Redress Scheme please:

email: redress@gov.scot
call freephone: 0808 175 0808 (lines open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm) - If calling from abroad, phone +44 131 297 6500

Making a complaint

Scotland’s Redress Scheme aims to treat people with dignity, respect and compassion at all times. However, if you are unhappy with any aspect of the Scheme or if something has gone wrong, you can make a complaint.

We aim to resolve any concerns that you have quickly. If you are an applicant to the scheme and your case worker is unable to resolve your concern, you can first request to speak with a team leader via your case worker. Where a team leader is unable to resolve your concern, your concern may be escalated to the Deputy/Head of Operations.

If you are still dissatisfied and want to make a formal complaint you can do this by:

speaking to your case worker and telling them you would like to make a complaint
calling us at 0808 175 0808 (lines open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm) - If calling from abroad, phone +44 131 297 6500
emailing us at: redress@gov.scot
sending your complaint in writing to Redress, PO Box 24209, Edinburgh EH7 9GT

When you make a complaint to Scotland’s Redress Scheme, please tell us:

how you would prefer us to contact you
your full name and contact details
as much as you can about the complaint
what has gone wrong
what you want to happen next

We will aim to resolve your stage one complaint within five working days. This might take longer if the issue is more complex.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive at stage one, you can take your complaint to stage two of the complaints handling procedure. This involves an investigating officer from out with the redress scheme considering your complaint and responding to it.

If you have trouble making your complaint, or want this information in another language or format, please let us know.

Support to make a complaint

Anyone who is an applicant to the scheme, can make a complaint. You can also ask someone to help you make a complaint on your behalf. This can be a relative, friend or third party organisation.

You must give your consent for them to make a complaint for you. We will contact you by phone to make sure you’re happy for the complaint to be made and for information to be shared with them.

If you need someone to help you, you can find out about advocates in your area by contacting the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance:

by phone on 0131 510 9410
online

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