Aberdeen Test Site Approved for Scottish Government Pathfinder Scheme

14/02/24 Graeme Simpson, Children Services Lead Officer, Councillor jessica mennie, vice convenor childrena dn education committee, councillor martin greig convenor children and education services, Members of the Education and Children’s Services Committee visited the Bairns Hoose in relation to Aberdeen City’s plan to develop a Bairns Hoose.

Councillors, including Education and Children’s Services convener Councillor Martin Greig and vice-convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie visited the location of Aberdeen’s first Bairns’ Hoose test site yesterday following the city’s successful bid to be a Scottish Government Pathfinder. 

The site at the Links Nursery and Hub on Regent Walk is one of only six locations 

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to become Scotland’s first Bairns’ Hoose test sites which will bring together different disciplines in supporting children and young people who are victims of, or witnesses to, abuse.    

Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services committee, Aberdeen City Council, said: “It was important to come along today and gain some insight as to how our innovative Bairns’ Hoose might look in practice.

“This is a transformative project that will help vulnerable children and young people through the trauma of abuse via protection, recovery, healthcare, therapeutic support and justice.  

Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of the Education and Children’s Services committee, said: “We have secured initial funding of almost £300,000 from the Scottish Government following our successful application to bring  a Bairns’ Hoose to Aberdeen. 

“This site will play a crucial role in supporting children and young people who have faced abuse and helping build resilience in them, their families and carers.”  

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Fife, North Strathclyde, the Outer Hebrides and Tayside will become local Pathfinder Partnerships, sharing a £6million Scottish Government fund to connect services across the justice system.  

A bid for further funding for 2024/25 will be submitted by the council and its partners in the coming weeks. 

Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, Police Scotland, the Third Sector and other partners will deliver the project, drawing on existing resources.  

 The results of the pathfinder phase will inform the development of a national ‘Bairns’ Hoose Blueprint’ and provide the basis for a full pilot in 2025.   

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