Fostered children were abused across Scotland over 84 years, inquiry told

No part of Scotland was “immune” to abuse of children in foster care over more than eight decades, an inquiry has heard.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) has been told of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation since public hearings for the foster care case study opened in May.

More than 250 witnesses gave evidence, with many having the opportunity to share their experiences for the first time.

Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith yesterdayconcluded the public hearings, which examined both the abuse of children in foster care and of children who were boarded out.

Ruth Innes KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, said: “The evidence which has been gathered and heard in this case study has sadly demonstrated that over the period from 1930 to 2014, children have suffered abuse in boarding out and foster care.

“That is not restricted in geographical scope – no area of Scotland is immune.

“We heard of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation.”

The inquiry team recovered more than 40,000 relevant documents and heard evidence from experts, local authorities, independent fostering agencies, foster carers, family members and social workers.

It was able to confirm more than 50 convictions in respect of offences against children in foster care, but said that record is incomplete.

Evidence gathered by the SCAI also identified a number of key themes, including that children were often separated from their family and siblings, and that many believed their carers were motivated by personal financial gain.

It found widespread failures in record-keeping exposed children to the risk of abuse as there was no ability to trace patterns of behaviour, and that some children were thrown out of the foster home and not spoken to again when their care concluded.

Many local authorities and organisations made general apologies in the course of this case study.

The inquiry also heard evidence of deaths in foster care not being properly investigated by the authorities, and that fatalities were accepted as accidents.

Lady Smith will now consider all the evidence and issue her findings as soon as practicable

The inquiry, which aims to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care, is considering evidence up to December 17, 2014, and which is within the living memory of any person who suffered abuse.

The Scottish Government had last year apologised unreservedly after being criticised by Lady Smith for a “woeful and wholly avoidable” delay in setting up an inquiry into accusations of historic child abuse in Scotland.

Lady Smith said “some ineptitude”, the failure of ministers to listen and engage with survivors, and over-reach of officials urging against an inquiry and attempting to prevent one led to the 13 year delay in setting up the inquiry.

The inquiry was announced in December 2014, and began its work in October 2015.