Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
OngoingSCAI
Independent public inquiry into the abuse of children in residential care in Scotland, covering all forms of abuse within living memory. Chaired by Lady Anne Smith. Established following a 13-year campaign by survivors, originating with Petition PE535 presented to the Scottish Parliament in 2002. The inquiry has announced 117 separate focused investigations and conducts public hearings in phases by institution type. Phase 9 (long-stay healthcare establishments) concluded January 2025; Phase 10 (local authority and voluntary sector care homes) began December 2025. No formal recommendations have been published; these will appear in interim and final reports. Published findings to date are institution-specific case study reports. The most expensive Scottish public inquiry to date. Annual expenditure: 2015/16 £1.1m; 2016/17 £5.7m; 2017/18 £13.9m; 2018/19 £21.5m; 2019/20 £33.3m; 2022/23 £12.9m; 2023/24 £14.0m; 2024/25 £13.5m. Cumulative total to September 2025: £102m.
Reports (16) Click to expand
Timeline (9) Click to expand
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry formally established under Inquiries Act 2005.
SourceScottish Government announced a public inquiry into historical child abuse in care.
Lady Smith appointed as Chair of the Inquiry.
First phase of public hearings began.
Phase 8 examining residential accommodation for young offenders began September 2023.
Phase 8 concluded after over 150 days of oral hearings covering 454 applicants.
Phase 9 hearings examining Donaldson's School for the Deaf held September-October 2025.
SourcePhase 10 examining Local Authority residential care begins December 2025.
Hearings may continue into 2026 with final report to follow completion of evidence.