Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry hears investigations continue despite difficulties caused by historic council handovers
EVIDENCE RELATING to alleged child abuse which took place at the former Dunclutha Children’s Home in Kirn has been found to be ‘limited’, due to an absence of extensive records.
It was revealed last month during opening submissions of Phase 10 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, (SCAI), in Edinburgh, that due to the complex administrative history of Dunclutha, evidence would be minimal.
The former Dunclutha Children’s Home, is among a group of residential establishments being examined by the SCAI, which is investigating the care of children in residential settings across Scotland during the latter half of the 20th century.
Last week opening evidence for Phase 10 of the Inquiry was heard and more is scheduled but in December the chair of the SCAI, The Right Honourable Lady Smith KC PC, was informed of Dunclutha’s complex administrative history.
Originally the home was formerly the responsibility of Strathclyde Regional Council and later Glasgow City Council, before coming under the control of Argyll and Bute Council following local government reorganisation in 1996.
That transfer of responsibility for Dunclutha was highlighted during Inquiry proceedings as a factor complicating the tracing of historical records.
During opening submissions last month, the Inquiry heard that evidence relating to Dunclutha would be limited and that further investigative work was ongoing where Glasgow City Council was liaising with Argyll and Bute Council to establish what documentation may exist.
At the time of the opening submissions in December, speaking directly to Mr Pugh, Glasgow City council representative, Lady Smith said: “I do understand the complication that arises with its, (Dunclutha’s), history of previously being an Argyll and Bute Council responsibility, but I hope that with liaison between the two,
if there is anything there, it can be unearthed and got to ussoonerratherthanlater.”
To which Mr Pugh replied: “There’s already been, as I understand it, some logbooks produced. I don’t yet know what those say, but active investigations are underway, my Lady.”
Mr Pugh then stressed that the absence of extensive records did not mean abuse had not occurred at Dunclutha, noting that abuse in residential settings often left little or no documentary trail. The Inquiry entered into its second week of evidence hearings for Phase 10 on Tuesday with more planned for later this month.
