Redress schemes

Every fact on this page comes from each scheme’s official website, the law itself (legislation.gov.uk), GOV.UK, or the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive websites. We last checked it on 6 October 2026, and we check every month whether each scheme is open. This is general information, not legal advice.

Looking for a quick answer? Read our common questions about redress schemes.

What a redress scheme is

A redress scheme is set up by an organisation or a government to acknowledge abuse that happened in its care or under its responsibility. Each scheme has its own rules about who can apply and what it can offer.

Historical abuse redress schemes at a glance

Scotland’s Redress Scheme

Scotland’s Redress Scheme is open for applications.

It is the Scottish Government’s redress scheme for people who were abused as children (under 18) while in care in Scotland before 1 December 2004, and for some next of kin. The abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or neglect.

‘Care’ includes children’s homes, ‘List D’ or approved schools, young offenders’ institutions and borstals, residential care (including hospitals) that gave long-term accommodation, school hostels, secure accommodation, boarding out and foster care.

If you apply, you may be offered a payment, an apology if you would like one (and help to get an apology from others), and emotional support. Redress Scotland, an independent body, makes the decisions on applications.

What the scheme can pay

• A fixed rate payment of £10,000. You must show you were living in a care setting when you were abused, but you don’t need documents as evidence of the abuse.
• An individually assessed payment of up to £100,000. You’ll also need to provide supporting documents as evidence of the abuse.
• A next of kin payment of £10,000. You may be able to apply if your partner or parent was abused as a child in care in Scotland before 1 December 2004, and died on or after 1 December 2004.

If you accept a payment, your UK benefits will not be reduced or stopped.

Support with applying

Support is available to anyone applying to Scotland’s Redress Scheme, even before they apply. Redress Scotland prioritises applications from survivors who have a terminal illness, and from survivors over the age of 68.

How long the scheme stays open

The law sets the period for applying. It ends on whichever is later: 5 years from 7 December 2021, when the period began, or 2 years after the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry publishes its final report. The Scottish Government can also extend it.

When we checked on 6 October 2026, the Inquiry had not published its final report, so the closing date is not yet known. Check the scheme’s own website for the latest position.

Scotland’s Redress Scheme on mygov.scot →

You can also read about how decisions are made on the Redress Scotland website.

The Church of England redress scheme

The Church of England’s national redress scheme is not open yet. The Church expects it to open in the latter part of 2026. Its rules have been laid before Parliament for approval. You can register on its website for email updates.

The scheme administrator decides who is eligible once it has assessed an application. If you’re not sure whether your circumstances are covered, the Church says you can still apply. It will be free to apply, and you won’t need a lawyer. The scheme will pay up to £5,000, plus VAT, for independent legal advice, and this is not taken from any award.

Find out more, and sign up for updates, on the Church of England’s redress page.

Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme

The Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme closed to new applications on 1 January 2022. It was for people who lived in or visited a Lambeth children’s home (including Shirley Oaks), or attended Shirley Oaks Primary School.

Northern Ireland: the HIA Redress Board

The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board was for people who were abused as children while living in an institution in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, and for some others, including former child migrants sent to Australia.

It is closed to new applications. The last date to apply was 2 April 2025. The Board has decided all the applications it received and is preparing to close. Its website has the latest information.

Mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses

A redress scheme for people affected by Northern Ireland’s mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses is not open yet. When we checked on 6 October 2026, the law to set it up had passed its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly and was waiting for Royal Assent, and the Executive Office was consulting on the scheme’s rules. Read the Executive Office’s latest news.

Is there a national scheme for England and Wales?

No. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse proposed a national redress scheme for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse connected to institutions. In April 2025, the UK government said it was not currently taking any further steps on that proposal.

If no scheme covers what happened to you

Other routes may be open to you. Our guides explain criminal injuries compensation and civil claims.

Where this information comes from

• gov.scot: Scotland’s Redress Scheme, mygov.scot (including how it works and who can apply) and Redress Scotland
• Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: section 24 (next of kin), section 31 (the application period), section 46 (the waiver)
• Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
• Church of England: Redress and its FAQs
• Lambeth Council: Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme
• HIA Redress Board and the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019, section 2
• The Executive Office (Northern Ireland): Truth Recovery news, 30 September 2026
• GOV.UK: Tackling child sexual abuse, progress update (April 2025)

Checked on 6 October 2026. Schemes open, close and change, so always check the scheme’s own website before you apply.