Former Dunoon children’s home under national inquiry spotlight

EVIDENCE detailing alleged abuse carried out at Dunclutha Children’s Home in Kirn was heard this week at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), as part of its ongoing national investigation into historic residential child care.
On Tuesday, the inquiry took evidence as part of Phase 10 of its work, which examines the provision of residential care for children and young people in establishments run by local authorities and voluntary providers used by councils to place children in care.
It is important to note that the inquiry is dealing with evidence submitted from residents of the original Dunclutha Children’s Home, not the current residential facility which operates under the same name. The original home, located in Kirn, was closed in 2014 and the building was repurposed as a garden centre.
Dunclutha is one of 20 establishments across Scotland confirmed as being included in this phase of the inquiry.
Evidence relating to the children’s home will form part of the first block of hearings, alongside evidence concerning Lagarie House Children’s Home in Rhu, also in Argyll and Bute.
On the opening day, the inquiry heard a witness statement from a former resident, referred to as Carol, followed by evidence given by Jessica via video link. Further witnesses are also scheduled to be heard, including former residents giving evidence under pseudonyms to protect their identities.
As part of the inquiry’s work, the BBC documentary Disclosure: Suffer the Children, first broadcast in 2018, was also shown during the hearings.
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was established to examine historical allegations of abuse of children in care settings and to consider whether institutions failed in their duty to protect those in their care.
The Inquiry does not determine criminal guilt but aims to establish facts, identify systemic failures, and make recommendations to prevent future harm.