Bairns' Hoose Pathfinder Phase – Research Report

1. Introduction

Policy background

The Bairns’ Hoose programme aims to transform the support provided to child victims and witnesses of abuse or violence which has caused, or is likely to cause, significant harm, as well as children under the age of criminal responsibility whose behaviour may have caused, or risked causing, serious harm. Taking a child-centred, holistic approach, it seeks to prevent children being re-traumatised and ensure timely access to appropriate trauma-informed recovery, support and justice. The Bairns’ Hoose programme aims to bring child protection, health, justice and recovery services under one roof, allowing children and young people to do their investigative interview, health exam, remote court appearance, and recovery work all in one trauma-informed space.

The Scottish Bairns’ Hoose approach has been inspired by the success of the Barnahus model, first introduced in Iceland in 1998. Ministers have made ongoing commitments to furthering Bairns’ Hoose in successive Programmes for Government since 2021. It is a key action in the Keeping the Promise Implementation Plan, and the Refreshed Equally Safe Strategy 2023. Bairns’ Hoose contributes to the realisation of Scotland’s Vision for Justice. The approach is consistent with Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) and is grounded in the requirements of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Incorporation (Scotland) Act 2024.

Bairns’ Hoose Standards

The Bairns’ Hoose programme builds on the Bairns’ Hoose Standards, developed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. Designed around the needs and rights of children and young people, the Standards provide a common operational framework. They set out eleven principles to which each partnership should aspire when designing and developing their local Bairns' Hoose.

Box 1.1: Bairns’ Hoose Standards

Standard 1: Key principles

My rights are upheld and these standards are for me. My best interests are always acted on, I am listened to and my views are taken seriously.

Standard 2: Collaborative leadership and governance

Everyone who is professionally responsible for protecting children across Scotland works together to ensure Bairns’ Hoose helps me and other children.

Standard 3: Inclusive access

Bairns’ Hoose includes me and my family.

Standard 4: Design and environment

The Bairns’ Hoose feels cosy, comfortable, relaxed and well-kept.

Standard 5: Planning for children

The people who help me work well as a team to make sure I have the right support when I need it and things are explained to in a way that I can understand.

Standard 6: Interviews in the Bairns’ Hoose

I will be supported during any interview. My interview will be recorded and used so I don’t have to repeat myself as much.

Standard 7: Support through the court and legal process

If I need to give evidence in a court or legal process, someone explains what is happening and I am supported through this. There is an option to live link to court from the Bairns’ Hoose.

Standard 8: Health and wellbeing

My physical, emotional and mental health is looked after. Someone helps to plan appointments and I’m supported to attend.

Standard 9: Therapeutic recovery services

If me or my family need help we can speak with someone who understands what we are going through. I get the help and support I need to recover.

Standard 10: Multidisciplinary staff training and support

The people who help me at the Bairns’ Hoose work as a team. They get the help they need to do their jobs well.

Standard 11: Prevention, sharing knowledge and learning from good practice

People at the Bairns’ Hoose listen to what I have to say about my experience. What I tell them helps to make the Bairns’ Hoose better for other children.

Given its child-centred philosophy, the development of Bairns’ Hoose involves the use of participatory methods with children and young people (aligned with the Scottish Government’s approach to participation and the Lundy Model of participation). Building on initial work to develop the Bairns’ Hoose Standards, the link worker model supports strengthened engagement and participation with children and young people across all partnerships.

Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder phase

Having launched in October 2023, Bairns’ Hoose is, at the time of writing, in the Pathfinder phase (January 2024 - March 2027). Bringing together partnerships from across Scotland, the Pathfinder phase is about testing the Standards in practice across diverse geographical and organisational contexts. This includes the establishment of six Pathfinder partnerships (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Fife, North Strathclyde, Outer Hebrides, and Tayside). Testing the Standards has been extended to four Affiliate partnerships (Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Highland, and Sycamore – Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian) who were offered lighter touch project support. At the time of writing, there were a further nine development partnerships at an earlier stage of their journey towards Bairns' Hoose.

Bairns’ Hoose partnerships involve a collaboration across three statutory partners, namely health, social work and police, as well as links with wider partners, particularly those in the third sector and education. As a cornerstone of the Bairns' Hoose programme, the Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) is central to Scotland's approach to child protection, providing a structured and robust practice to deal with cases involving child victims, witnesses, or those at risk.

This testing phase will inform an incremental national roll-out beginning in 2027.

Programme structure and oversight

The Scottish Government Bairns’ Hoose Cross-Portfolio Assurance Group comprises senior civil servants from health, justice and social work. It provides oversight, challenge, and direction to the Bairns’ Hoose Policy Unit and Bairns’ Hoose Project team.

The National Bairns’ Hoose Implementation Group engages the key delivery partners in the work of the programme in order to inform the future development and plans for implementing Bairns’ Hoose in line with the Scottish Government’s vision.

The Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder programme consists of five workstreams: Analysis; Knowledge exchange (supported by Healthcare Improvement Scotland); Quality Improvement and Service Design; Participation of Children and Young People; and Funding Support (administered by Impact Funding Partners).