National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

Chair

• Alexis Jay, Independent member

Group members in attendance

• Alison McIntyre, Assistant Director - Children's Services, Barnardo’s
• Alison Wales, Senior Policy Officer, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Scotland
• Alistair Hogg, Head of Practice and Policy, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA)
• Angela Latta, Deputy Chief Social Work Office, Scottish Government
• Carrie Lindsay, Executive Officer, Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES)
• Catriona Scobbie, Safeguarding Lead Officer, Education Scotland
• Deirdre McCormick, Chief Nurse and Head of Public Protection, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Doug Marshall, Senior Impact Lead, Childlight
• DSU Brian Manchester, Police Scotland
• Fiona Dyer, Director, Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ)
• Jane Scott, Head of Early Help and Protection, Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection (CELCIS)
• Jillian Taylor, Child Health Commissioner & Chief Nurse, NHS Forth Valley
• Joanne Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Scotland
• Kathryn Lindsay, Chief Executive, Angus Council, SOLACE representative
• Laura Bradley, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
• Lesley Gordon, Action for Children
• Lucy Coleman, Chair, National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse (NOTA) Scotland
• Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children First
• Nicola Dickie, Director of People Policy, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Rhona Robb, Scottish Nursing Child Protection Leadership Group
• Stuart Allardyce, Director of Lucy Faithful Foundation Scotland
• Tam Baillie, Chair, Child Protection Committee Scotland (CPC Scotland)
• Yvonne Friel, Health Improvement Manager, Public Health Scotland

Apologies

• DCS Sarah Taylor, Head of Public Protection, Police Scotland
• Glenn Preston, Scotland Director, OFCOM
• Joanna Macdonald, Chief Executive, National Social Work Agency and Chief Social Work Adviser, Scottish Government
• Lynda Fenton, Early Years and Young People Lead, Public Health Scotland
• Mhairi Grant, Vice Chair, Child Protection Committee Scotland (CPC Scotland)
• Moira McKinnon, Vice Chair, Child Protection Committee Scotland (CPC Scotland)

Also in attendance

• Alistair McAlpine, Chief Statistician, Scottish Government
• Camille Warrington, Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh
• Craig Naylor, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMICS)
• John Paterson, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMICS)
• John O’Brien, former Secretary to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)
• Scottish Government officials

Secretariat

• Child Protection Unit, Scottish Government
   

Items and actions

Welcome, introductions and apologies

Chair welcomed members to the meeting and noted apologies. 

Scottish Government update

Scottish Government (SG) officials updated the group following the 25 February Parliamentary Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, highlighting the announcement of an inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation and the establishment of a Truth Project for survivors in Scotland.

It was highlighted the new inquiry intended to complement the existing work of the National Review, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) and of the Group. It was also noted that Professor Jay would be stepping down as Chair of the National CSAE Strategic Group upon her appointment as Chair of the inquiry.

The Group discussed the announcement and it was noted that there should remain a balance in effort to consider current abuse as well as historical harm. The Chair reflected on her experience of Chairing the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales (IICSA) and expectation that findings from the new group-based abuse inquiry would enable updates to current practice, and that it will not wait until its conclusion to identify and recommend improvements. It was also noted that the National Review led by the inspectorates will focus on current abuse and will publish the findings of its first phase of work this summer. 

It was acknowledged that the Group’s work had recently had a focus on group-based abuse due to recent political and media interest. It was agreed there was now an opportunity for the Group to consider its priorities in light of wider developments to ensure its work remains aligned to current risks to children. SG officials noted that work would be taken forward to consider future chairing and operational arrangements for the Group.  

Minutes of previous meeting and actions arising

The Group last met on 28 January. Minutes have been agreed and published on the SG website.

Outstanding actions

Feedback on the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) Benchmarking paper

Secretariat have received feedback from members and invited any further feedback across the Group. The benchmarking paper was welcomed as an opportunity to inform the Group’s priorities. The Group noted the work of the Mandatory Reporting (MR) Task and Finish Group would be discussed at future meetings, noting MR as a key recommendation of IICSA.

Truth Project

John O'Brien provided an overview of the Truth Project that was established as part of IICSA to provide a safe place for survivors to share their experiences and inform policy change. In responding to questions from the Group, John advised that the Truth Project was for adults with two separate sessions run for children in recognition of the need to engage with children in a different way. This was done in conjunction with NSPCC.

The evidence from the Truth Project showed that the average length of time to disclose abuse was 26 years, with four years the average time period over which abuse had occurred. Pilots were run initially to enable testing before they were run on a larger scale, this was welcomed as a potential approach for the Project in Scotland.

Bairns Hoose Presentations

Children First provided an overview of the Changemakers Programme, highlighting the aim of this group is to make a positive difference in the justice system. Key reflections from the children involved were that the current system can compound existing trauma and the importance of their needs being recognised so they are treated as young people rather than adults. 

The SG Bairns Hoose Policy Team provided an overview of the Bairns Hoose programme, highlighting it is currently in the Pathfinder phase and will be incrementally rolled out nationally by 2027.

Camille Warrington, research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, shared findings of a Bairns Hoose research project which engaged with children to understand their experience of justice and welfare responses. She shared that frontline service partners have a critical role for access and safe processes, that Bairns Hoose works for children with all forms of abuse, however there was more victims of CSAE than of other forms of abuse and it is important to understand the diversity of these experiences.

Survivor engagement discussion

The Group were invited to reflect on the presentations and how to ensure the voice of survivors and children and young people can inform the work of the group.

The Chief Statistician welcomed the opportunity to explore how Bairns Hoose data could support the work of the CSAE Data Subgroup.

The Group acknowledged the importance and the challenge of ensuring that supports were available for those who engaged – this had been a key aspect of the Truth Project in terms both of those employed by the Project and signposting to local services.  

It was highlighted that the Changemakers programme has evidence from children on how they want professionals to behave and respond to give space before they engage with the justice system. This evidence could be drawn on to inform engagement with children. 

There was discussion on whether some of the members of the Group could meet separately to consider engagement opportunities and to develop options for the Group to consider at a future meeting.

Next Steps and Close

The next meeting is planned for 9 July 2026.

Actions

• Members to review IICSA benchmarking paper and provide feedback to the Secretariat by 25 March
• Secretariat to engage members to take forward consideration of group's approach to engagement