Bairns Hoose project involving SPS academics provides life-changing support to over 270 child victims and witnesses and their families in its first year
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In total 169 children and 109 members of their family have received life-changing support from the internationally renowned Bairns Hoose since it opened a year ago. A team of Social Work researchers from the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science (SPS) is among partners working on the project.
Based on the international Barnahus model and led by Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity, the Bairns Hoose is a trauma-informed, child-friendly space where children can get all their needs met under one roof. It is the first of its kind in Scotland and funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The project was developed in partnership with Victim Support Scotland, the University of Edinburgh and local partners from statutory agencies in North Strathclyde.
At the Bairns Hoose, the Children 1st recovery team works alongside local partners to deliver all the support that children need from the moment they disclose they have been harmed. Almost 50% percent of the children supported by the Bairns Hoose had experienced sexual abuse, 33% had experienced domestic abuse and 32% had experienced physical abuse.
A young person who has received support from the Bairns Hoose said: “Bairns Hoose makes us feel like we are normal people and that we can get through what we’ve been through. There is more to Bairns Hoose, they help our families out, they make us feel like we could be anything, we could be superheroes if we want to be that.”
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children 1st said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the first birthday of Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose alongside our local, national, and international partners. It is only thanks to their dedicated commitment and sheer hard work that we have been able to help so many children and young people and their families recover from the worst things imaginable, including sexual and physical abuse and domestic violence.
“Transforming long-established systems, including a court system which dates from the Victorian era, isn’t easy, but to uphold children’s human rights it must be done. With the ongoing help of partners, funders, and supporters we are determined to continue testing, develop and sharing learning from our Bairns Hoose until the day that every child can get justice without going to court and can receive all the support they need to recover from trauma and abuse.”
The Children 1st North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose has attracted worldwide recognition as a leading example of the Barnahus approach. In its first year alone, the Bairns Hoose has welcomed over 100 national and international leaders in their fields including from Australia, Japan, Sweden and Ireland.
In October 2024, the Scottish Government announced funding to support six Pathfinder Bairns Hoose sites across Scotland to support the roll out of Bairns Hoose across Scotland, including the Children 1st North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose. Children 1st is also working with local partners to develop Bairns Hoose in new areas of Scotland.
Read more about the Bairns Hoose project.