Redress Scotland was established under the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021. It provides a statutory route to financial redress for survivors who were abused as children while in relevant care settings in Scotland before December 2004.
How the Scheme Works
- Applications are assessed by an independent body, with payments at fixed and individually assessed levels depending on the evidence and circumstances.
- The scheme is intended to provide a less adversarial alternative to civil court proceedings, although survivors retain the right to choose civil litigation instead.
- A waiver is required if a redress payment is accepted, in respect of contributing institutions that have signed up to the scheme.
- Wraparound emotional, practical, and legal support is available to applicants.
Where the Scheme Stands in 2026
Redress Scotland continues to receive and determine applications. The scheme has played a significant role for survivors who do not wish to pursue civil litigation, while the parallel work of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has continued to publish findings on institutional failures.
Choosing Between Redress and Civil Claim
Survivors in Scotland often face a choice between applying to Redress Scotland and bringing a civil claim under the Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Act 2017. The right route depends on the survivor's circumstances, the nature of the institution involved, the evidence available, and what outcome the survivor is seeking. Independent legal advice is strongly recommended before signing any waiver.
Choosing between a redress scheme and civil litigation is one of the most important decisions a survivor can make. It should be made with the benefit of independent legal advice, not under time pressure.
