Scotland's first Bairns' Hoose, developed in partnership with Children 1st. Serving families in East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.
Phase 1
Context & Development
Nov 2021 – Dec 2022
✓ Complete
Context & Development
Nov 2021 – Dec 2022
✓ Complete
Phase 2
Opening & Initial Operation
Aug 2023 – Apr 2024
✓ Complete
Opening & Initial Operation
Aug 2023 – Apr 2024
✓ Complete
Phase 3 — Current
Recovery & Advocacy Model
Oct 2025 – Sep 2026
● In progress
Recovery & Advocacy Model
Oct 2025 – Sep 2026
● In progress
In 2024, the University of Edinburgh agreed to work with the Sycamore Bairns' Hoose Partnership (a Scottish Government Bairns' Hoose Affiliate) on their implementation journey.
DIAGRAM
Our formative evaluation (January 2025 - March 2026) aims to provide in depth qualitative knowledge about the experience of the child's journey though the Bairns' Hoose process.
The 'Joining the Dots' report presents the findings of an evaluation of the first phase of the Sycamore Bairns’ Hoose multiagency approach, currently being rolled out by the Scottish Government to improve coordination and responses to children and young people affected by abuse. Bairns’ Hoose is based upon the European Barnahus model and is grounded in international evidence and experience.
Making Sense of Sycamore Bairns' Hoose event - September 2025
From January 2025 – March 2026, the Bairns’ Hoose evaluation team based at the University of Edinburgh is leading a formative evaluation of Sycamore Bairns’ Hoose, which covers Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian.
The Making Sense of Sycamore Bairns' Hoose event, held on 17 September 2025, was an opportunity to share and reflect upon emerging findings from the first phase of the evaluation. Making Sense of Sycamore Bairns' Hoose, Briefing Briefing Paper, Dec 2025 demonstrates how discussion and feedback from the event has influenced the ongoing evaluation. A report of the findings of the first phase of the Sycamore Bairns' Hoose evaluation can be found here: Joining the Dots: Sycamore Bairns' Hoose Evaluation (November 2025).
Children and young people’s experiences of moving through services after they have experienced abuse or harm
The three composite case studies in this resource are drawn from interviews carried out in 2025 by a researcher from University of Edinburgh with 6 children and young people who experienced abuse or harm in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.
DIAGRAM
Our formative evaluation (January 2025 - March 2026) aims to provide in depth qualitative knowledge about the experience of the child's journey though the Bairns' Hoose process.
The 'Joining the Dots' report presents the findings of an evaluation of the first phase of the Sycamore Bairns’ Hoose multiagency approach, currently being rolled out by the Scottish Government to improve coordination and responses to children and young people affected by abuse. Bairns’ Hoose is based upon the European Barnahus model and is grounded in international evidence and experience.
Making Sense of Sycamore Bairns' Hoose event - September 2025
From January 2025 – March 2026, the Bairns’ Hoose evaluation team based at the University of Edinburgh is leading a formative evaluation of Sycamore Bairns’ Hoose, which covers Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian.
The Making Sense of Sycamore Bairns' Hoose event, held on 17 September 2025, was an opportunity to share and reflect upon emerging findings from the first phase of the evaluation. Making Sense of Sycamore Bairns' Hoose, Briefing Briefing Paper, Dec 2025 demonstrates how discussion and feedback from the event has influenced the ongoing evaluation. A report of the findings of the first phase of the Sycamore Bairns' Hoose evaluation can be found here: Joining the Dots: Sycamore Bairns' Hoose Evaluation (November 2025).
Children and young people’s experiences of moving through services after they have experienced abuse or harm
The three composite case studies in this resource are drawn from interviews carried out in 2025 by a researcher from University of Edinburgh with 6 children and young people who experienced abuse or harm in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.