Information

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Who can apply

Scotland’s Redress Scheme is for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.

To apply for this scheme, you must have been abused:

  • as a child (when you were 17 years old or younger)
  • before 1 December 2004
  • in a relevant care setting
  • in Scotland

What is a relevant care setting?

 

Scotland's Redress Scheme only covers certain care settings. These are known as "relevant care settings" and include:

  • children’s homes
  • “List D” or approved schools
  • penal institutions, including young offenders’ institutions and borstals
  • residential care facilities (including hospitals) which provided long-term residential accommodation
  • school hostels and some other accommodation provided for a child to go to school
  • secure accommodation
  • boarded out
  • foster care

There might be other settings that are relevant, depending on your circumstances.

See a full list of relevant settings

Find out more about how and why the Scottish Government has chosen this criteria for Scotland’s Redress Scheme

Next of kin applications

A next of kin application is for a fixed payment of £10,000.

You can apply for a next of kin payment if your partner or parent was abused:

  • as a child (when they were 17 years old or younger)
  • before 1 December 2004
  • in a relevant care setting
  • in Scotland

Your partner or parent must have also died on or after 1 December 2004.

Find out more about how to apply for a next of kin payment

Warning

There is a separate application form and guidance for next of kin applicants. 

Legally appointed representatives

If you're a legally appointed representative, such as a legal guardian or someone who holds power of attorney for a survivor, please contact a case worker for a separate application form.

Contact a case worker

 

Phone: 0808 175 0808 (freephone)

+ 44 131 297 6500 (international)

Email: apply@redress-scheme.scot

Lines are open Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 4pm (except Scottish public holidays).

There is an answering machine at other times, and if you leave a message we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Providing more information if you have certain criminal convictions

You’ll need to give more information if you have:

  • a criminal conviction for rape or murder

  • received a sentence of imprisonment of 5 years or more for a violent or sexual offence

  • a criminal conviction for an equivalent offence committed outside of the UK

If you have one or more of these convictions, Redress Scotland will decide if you can receive a payment offer. If you do not receive a payment, you may still be able to receive an apology for your abuse and an offer of emotional support.

Your case worker will let you know what information you need to provide.

Nominating a beneficiary for your application

You can nominate a beneficiary for your application.

If you die before your application is complete, this person may be able to:

  • complete the application on your behalf

  • receive your payment offer and apology

You can nominate a beneficiary in Part 1 of your application form.

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