Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Child abuse inquiry to begin foster care hearings in May

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry said that the foster care case study will run for several months.

Lucinda Cameron
Thursday 24 March 2022 10:18 GMT
Lady Smith is the chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Nick Mailer/PA)
Lady Smith is the chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Nick Mailer/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry will begin hearing evidence into the abuse of children in foster care in May.

During the first phase of the foster care case study, which will begin on May 3, the inquiry will hear evidence from relevant experts and regulatory bodies to provide context and scene setting.

Over the course of part two, which will start in late May, it will hear from people who experienced abuse in foster care as well as from a range of other witnesses.

The public hearings will also include evidence in relation to children who were boarded out.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) said that foster care is a substantial case study and is expected to run for several months, finishing in the autumn.

Hearings will take place at the SCAI premises in Edinburgh, with some evidence taken from witnesses in person and some via video link.

The inquiry 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.

It is chaired by Lady Smith.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in