Aberdeenshire Bairns Hoose opens to provide life-changing support to child victims and witnesses

The Bairns Hoose aims to reduce the trauma children face when navigating the child protection and justice systems by bringing all the support they need together under one roof.

Designed with trauma-sensitive principles, by local children and young people, the Hoose offers a safe, welcoming environment where children can participate in child protection processes and begin their journey of healing.

Families will also receive support to understand what their child has experienced and how best to help them recover.

From left to right Lawrence Findlay - Director of Education and Children's Services, Aberdeenshire Council, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children First, Detective Superintendent Neil McDonald, Police Scotland, Andrew Watson - Director for Children and Families, Scottish Government

The Bairns Hoose has been developed in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council Children’s Services, Children First - Scotland's national children's charity, Police Scotland, NHS Grampian, The Scottish Children’s Reporter’s Administration, The Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and Edinburgh University.

The Bairns Hoose model - based on the internationally acclaimed Barnahus approach first developed in Iceland - was introduced to Scotland in 2023 when Children First opened the first Hoose in North Strathclyde.

The new Aberdeenshire Bairns Hoose will explore how the model can work in practice in rural communities by introducing a ‘hub-and-spoke' approach, with a further Bairns Hoose hub in North Aberdeenshire and options for interviews in several family centres across the region.

This gives children choice about where they feel most comfortable giving evidence or receiving recovery support.

17-year-old Evangeline* was supported by Aberdeenshire Bairns Hoose after being abused by her boyfriend. Her case was closed by the police due to lack of evidence and Evangeline’s mental health really suffered.

Evangeline explains how the team at Bairns Hoose helped: “A year ago, I had no confidence and no hope. Now, I feel proud of myself. I’ve found purpose. Bairns Hoose is more than just support - it’s someone walking beside you through the hardest times. It’s a second home, a safety blanket and a reminder that you’re never alone.

“If I could speak to the people in charge of the justice system, I’d ask them to really think about the victims. The system can be scary and damaging, especially for young people. We need to be heard, supported, and treated with care. We’re not adults yet, and the process needs to reflect that. Please listen to our voices - we matter.”

 

At the heart of the Bairns Hoose is a dedicated Children First recovery team, working in close partnership with local agencies to provide children with all the support they need from the moment they disclose abuse or harm.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee Chair Cllr David Keating said: “Young people living in more rural, remote areas, have faced significant barriers in accessing the specialist care and support needed to recover from deeply traumatic experiences. This is especially challenging as they had to travel long distances or navigate complex systems to get the help they deserve.

“This new centre changes that and we’re very proud to have worked with our multi-agency partners to ensure no child is left behind because of where they live.

“Ultimately we are trying to create a one stop shop closer to those who need it, to deliver help and aid recovery.”

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity said: “The opening of the Aberdeenshire Bairns Hoose Hub is a landmark moment. It means more children and young people in rural Scotland will have access to the specialist support they need to heal from unimaginable trauma - including sexual, physical and domestic abuse.

“It also marks a vital step in understanding how the world-leading Bairns Hoose model can work in rural settings. We are committed to collaborating and sharing our learning with all Bairns Hoose partners. Together we can build a future where every child in Scotland can access justice without the need to go to court – and receive the vital care they need to recover.”

The Aberdeenshire based Hoose is one of the six Scottish Government Pathfinder Projects. These aim to learn how to improve the justice system by testing what works in different places and situations to provide the best support possible to children who have been victims or witnesses of crime.

 

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Natalie Don-Innes, said: “The opening of the Aberdeenshire Bairns’ Hoose marks a significant milestone in our journey to transform how Scotland can support children impacted by trauma. It represents our unwavering commitment to placing children at the heart of our justice and care systems, especially those who have experienced the most profound harm.

"This is not just a service, Bairns’ Hoose is a place where children can feel safe, heard, and supported from the moment they disclose abuse.

“The Scottish Government is proud to fund and support the Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder programme, which is helping us learn how to make Bairns’ Hoose work in every part of the country. This Aberdeenshire hub is providing valuable learning about how it can be delivered in rural communities. Together with each partnership we are building a future where every child can access justice and recovery in a way that respects their needs and their voice.”

Today marks the launch of phase one of the main Aberdeenshire Bairns Hoose Hub which includes a child-friendly interview suite, a welcoming reception area and a dedicated recovery space. The exact location of the Hoose remains confidential due to the sensitive nature of the work that takes place there. Plans for Phase Two include the development of a live court link, a therapeutic support space and a health suite where children can receive medical care in a safe and familiar environment.

 

To date, the Scottish Government has invested over £20 million towards the development of the Bairns’ Hoose programme, which supports partnerships across Scotland to test the Bairns’ Hoose Standards in different geographical and operating contexts. Learning and evidence gathered during this Pathfinder phase will contribute towards the design of a national Bairns’ Hoose model, ahead of incremental rollout from 2027.

The Pathfinder partnership areas are Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Fife, North Strathclyde, the Outer Hebrides and Tayside.

In addition to the North Strathclyde and Aberdeenshire Bairns Hoose’s, Children First is working with local partners to develop Bairns Hoose’s across Scotland including in Aberdeen, The Scottish Borders, West Lothian and across Ayrshire. In 2024 Children First’s Bairns Hoose teams across Scotland supported a total of 185 families.

Read more about the Bairns Hoose