South Lanarkshire Council is to adopt a new programme which protects vulnerable children.
The Bairns’ Hoose plan is a Scottish Government initiative which aims to ensure that all children who are victims of, or witnesses to, abuse have support.
It offers a coordinated approach designed to reduce the number of times children have to recount their experiences to different professionals. Care and support that a child and their family needs will be offered under one roof.
The child-centred model offers consistent and holistic support to allow the children’s voices to be heard and prevents them being retraumatised.
Children who have been subjected to violent crimes, unlawful deprivation of personal freedom, trafficking or who have witnessed violence against a relative, are eligible to attend the support at the Bairns’ Hoose, as are women subjected to female genital mutilation .
The premises are located in residential areas and services include forensic interviews, medical examination, therapeutic services and family counselling support.
Councillor Mary Donnelly (Hamilton West and Earnock), welcomed the approach, and said: “It’s really nice as we were the first pilot two years ago to be bringing this on stream. I also like to commend the Bairns’ Hoose which is Scots language and that’s nice to see us using Scots language in the naming of this. I’ve got nothing but praise for it.”
The term Bairns’ Hoose is adapted from the Icelandic term Barnahaus which means children’s house. It was first implemented in Iceland in 1988 to respond to the special needs of children and brings together services in a “four rooms” approach with Child Protection, Health, Justice, and Recovery Services all made available in one setting.
A key aim of the model is to reduce the number of times children must recount their experiences.
At a national level, the financial framework underpinning the implementation of Bairns’ Hoose has not yet been published.
Locally, a full implementation plan for the Bairns’ Hoose project is being progressed at the strategic group this month. Key factors included in the strategic group will also make recommendations on where the Bairns’ Hoose accommodation which meets the holistic requirements and adheres to the national standards will be located.
There is currently funding in place for three full-time children and families social workers and one part-time leader to undertake interviews, briefing and debriefings.
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