Chair for abuse survivor financial redress scheme named

The chair of a new public body set up to make decisions on financial redress for survivors of historical child abuse in care has been named.

Deputy first minister John Swinney confirmed that the former deputy chief constable of Police Scotland, Johnny Gwynne, will take up the role at Redress Scotland.

Gwynne is also a past director of the UK National Crime Agency with responsibility for tackling child exploitation.

Speaking at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, Swinney said that Gwynne will bring the leadership and empathy needed in the role.

Redress Scotland will assess applications for financial redress, with payments of up to £100,000, with the scheme due to open for applications before the end of 2021.

Survivors will be able to apply for a fixed rate redress payment of £10,000, or an individually assessed redress payment which will involve a more detailed examination of their experience.

Those that receive financial redress will also be offered access to some non-financial elements of redress such as acknowledgement, apology and therapeutic support.

The body was approved after MSPs unanimously passed the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill in March this year.

Swinney told MSPs: “Some children in residential care in Scotland were failed by those entrusted to look after them, often with catastrophic results.

“Scotland is taking steps to face up to those failings by establishing this financial redress scheme for survivors.

“In leading the establishment of Redress Scotland, Johnny is resolutely committed to building the type of independent and transparent organisation which is capable of delivering justice for survivors.

“To do so, he will work from the outset to instil a trauma-informed culture right across the organisation.

“I am in no doubt that he will bring the needed leadership and empathy to this key strategic role.

“The scheme will have embedded within it the principles of dignity, respect and compassion.”