This new factsheet from the Scottish Government sets out a vision for how Barnahus should be implemented in Scotland, the values which should underpin the model and the approach to its practical implementation.

The Scottish Government aims to ensure that all eligible children who are victims or witnesses to abuse or violence will have access to a ‘Bairns’ Hoose’ by 2025.

That means the services they need will all be available via a coordinated approach designed to reduce the number of times children have to recount their experiences to different professionals.

Children below the age of criminal responsibility, whose behaviour has caused harm, will also have access to the services it will provide.

Bairns’ Hoose – based on an Icelandic model "Barnahus" - will bring 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 have to recount their experiences to different professionals. The Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019 is also a milestone piece of legislation in the journey towards the Bairns’ Hoose model.

Read the factsheet