Current status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 October 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is investigating abuse experienced by children in care, in Scotland, between 1930 and 2014. The Inquiry has reviewed a wide range of care settings and, to date, has completed nine phases of public hearings, held over 558 days of hearings, heard from over 1,350 witnesses and published 15 volumes of case study interim findings.
The Inquiry has to date examined evidence regarding: (a) the legislative and regulatory frameworks for children in care; (b) the historical practice of child migration; (c) residential establishments run by religious orders; (d) residential establishments operated by non-religious or voluntary organisations; (e) independent boarding schools; (f) foster and kinship care settings; (g) secure care and young offenders institutions; and (h) specialist schools and healthcare establishments.
In December this year, the Inquiry will begin its public hearings in relation to Phase 10 of its investigations, focusing on children's residential care provided by local authorities.
The Scottish Government continues to participate fully in the Inquiry process, providing government records and making submissions as required by the Inquiry.
The Inquiry has cost £98.7 million to date. Whilst the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is funded by the Scottish Government it operates, like any other public inquiry, independently of government. The Chair of the Inquiry, Lady Smith, has an ongoing duty to avoid unnecessary costs. The Inquiry routinely publishes its expenditure on its website.
When the Inquiry concludes, it will publish a final report that may make recommendations to improve practice, policy and legislation. The Scottish Government is committed to carefully considering the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations.