On Tuesday 29th April 2025 Harmeny will be appearing as one of 19 providers involved in Phase 9 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
This phase is focussing on the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities.
What is the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry?
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) was established in October 2015 with goals of raising public awareness of the abuse of children in residential care (including boarding schools), providing an opportunity for public acknowledgement of their suffering and serving as a forum for validation of their experiences.
Chaired by Lady Anne Smith, the aims of the Inquiry include:
- to investigate abuse of children in care from 1930- 2014
- to look at the responsibilities of organisations caring for children
- to create a public record
- to make recommendations regarding any changes to practice, policy or legislation in order to protect children in care in the future.
While the scope of the Inquiry covers the period within living memory – from 1930 through to December 2014, it is not just about investigating historical poor practice. It also has a focus on examples of good practice so as to ensure children’s welfare now and in the future.
Harmeny at the SCAI
Our Chief Executive, Gavin Calder, has been granted Leave to Appear on behalf of the Harmeny to reflect on practice and reported happenings from December 1995, when the Trust took over the running of Harmeny as an independent Scottish charity, to the present day.
From 1958 until 1995, Harmeny School was run by Save the Children. They have also been granted Leave to Appear and will respond separately with regards to all matters from that time.
Safeguarding children and young people at Harmeny today
While being open to learning lessons from the past and using this to guide future practice, we believe that Harmeny has very strong and robust processes in place to safeguard our children. Providing high quality, therapeutic care and education in a place of safety is at the core of everything that we do.
Our commitment
In line with our opening submission to the Inquiry, Harmeny wishes to express its profound sorrow and sympathy to all those children who have been the victims of abusive practices and behaviours at residential schools and care establishments in Scotland; which the work of the Inquiry has shone a revealing light on in its work to date. We are also highly committed to working with survivors, families and relevant organisations, in every way we can, to achieve The Promise’s ambition for ‘all children to grow up loved, safe and respected so that they realise their full potential.’
Harmeny’s part in the Scottish Government Redress Scheme
In December 2021 the Scottish Government launched a Redress Scheme for survivors of abuse in care. This includes a waiver scheme via application to an independent body, Redress Scotland as an alternative to victims making a claim via the courts.
The Redress Scheme is a vital response to the courageous efforts of survivors of abuse in care in Scotland. We acknowledge the importance of survivors experiences being heard with compassion, dignity and respect. Harmeny is committed to playing our part in the collective response and it is for this reason that, following detailed discussions with the Scottish Government Harmeny joined the scheme in February 2023.
We offer our unreserved apologies to anyone who suffered abuse or harm while in our care. While nothing can undo the hurt and pain suffered, we hope that being part of the redress scheme confirms our commitment to making amends.
The relevant time period for any potential claims regarding the Harmeny Education Trust is from our foundation on 21 December 1995 to 1 December 2004 (when First Minister Jack McConnell made a public apology to victims of abuse in care in Scotland).
Save the Children, who ran the school from 1958 to 1995, is also a Scheme contributor.
Further questions?
If you have any questions about the above, please get in touch with Gavin Calder, Chief Executive, by email at [email protected] or calling 0131 449 3938.
Former Pupils
We very much encourage former pupils to get in touch, and to visit the school if they wish. We welcome your feedback so that we can continuously improve. To arrange a call or visit please get in touch via email at [email protected] or call 0131 449 3938.
Information on how to apply and start the Redress Scheme application process can be found here:
- For more information on how to apply and to start the application process: www.mygov.scot/redress
- For statutory guidance, participation information and the contributor list: www.gov.scot/redress
- Support for survivors of abuse is available at: https://future-pathways.co.uk/
