Former Dunclutha Home included in latest abuse inquiry phase

The former Dunclutha Children’s Home in Hunters Quay will feature next month as part of Phase 10 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).
Established 10 years ago, the inquiry’s aim is to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care in Scotland, and the period examined by SCAI’s investigations into abuse at these establishments extends from within living memory until the end of 2014.
This case study will consider the provision of residential care for children and young people in establishments run by local authorities and establishments run by voluntary providers used by local authorities and others to place children in care.
On Wednesday and Thursday, opening submissions were heard and 20 establishments have been confirmed as being part of this investigative phase.
In January, evidence will begin in relation to Dunclutha Children’s Home.
The inquiry will focus solely on the original Dunclutha Children’s Home, not the current residential facility which operates under the same name. The original home, located in Kirn, closed in 2014 and the building was repurposed as a garden centre.
Following its closure, Argyll and Bute Council invested £1 million in a purpose-built children’s home constructed to the rear of the old property.
SCAI will examine claims relating to the now-defunct Dunclutha home, with a number of witness statements already submitted. Some of these accounts, given by individuals who were residents decades ago, are now publicly available online, although heavily redacted.
This phase of the inquiry will explore the nature and extent of all forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including the abusive use of corporal punishment and restraint.
The inquiry aims to provide a voice to survivors, hold institutions to account, and ensure that lessons are learned to protect future generations.
The inquiry’s witness support team can be contacted on 0800 0929 300, or emailed at [email protected]. Individuals can also write to the inquiry by post at SCAI, PO Box 24202, Edinburgh EH3 1JN.