Redress schemes: common questions

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.

For the full picture, read our guide to redress schemes.

About redress schemes

What is a redress scheme?

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.

Which redress schemes are open?

When we checked on 6 October 2026, Scotland’s Redress Scheme was open. The Church of England’s scheme was not open yet. The Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme and Northern Ireland’s HIA Redress Board are closed to new applications. Our guide has the schemes at a glance.

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.

What if no scheme covers what happened to me?

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

Scotland’s Redress Scheme and Redress Scotland

Is Scotland’s Redress Scheme open?

Yes. Scotland’s Redress Scheme is open for applications.

The law says the period for applying ends on whichever is later: 5 years from 7 December 2021, or 2 years after the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry publishes its final report. 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 →

Who is eligible?

Scotland’s Redress Scheme is 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, foster care, boarding out, ‘List D’ or approved schools and secure accommodation, among other settings. The guide lists them all.

A next of kin can apply if their partner or parent was abused as a child in care in Scotland before 1 December 2004, and died on or after 1 December 2004.

What is Redress Scotland?

Redress Scotland is the independent body that makes decisions about applications to Scotland’s Redress Scheme. You send your application to the Scottish Government, and your case worker passes it to Redress Scotland. A panel then considers it.

How do I apply?

You can find the application forms and guidance on mygov.scot. A solicitor can help you with your application and give you independent legal advice, and the scheme pays the solicitor’s fees. Scotland’s Redress Scheme case workers can answer questions about applying: call 0808 175 0808 (freephone; Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm, except Scottish public holidays).

Redress Scotland’s step-by-step guide explains what happens at each stage.

What could the scheme pay?

There are two types of application:

• 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. The law sets five levels: £20,000, £40,000, £60,000, £80,000 and £100,000. The panel looks at the nature, severity, frequency and duration of the abuse.

A next of kin payment is a fixed payment of £10,000.

Will a payment affect my benefits?

No. The Scottish Government says that if you accept a payment offer, your UK benefits will not be reduced or stopped.

If I accept a payment, can I still bring a civil claim?

To accept a payment from Scotland’s Redress Scheme, you must sign a waiver giving up the right to bring, or to continue, certain civil claims about the abuse. The waiver covers the Scottish Government and the organisations on the scheme’s contributor list when your application is decided.

This is a big decision. It can help to get independent legal advice before you sign anything. Our glossary explains what a waiver is.

How long do I have to accept an offer?

You have 6 months to decide whether or not to accept an offer.

Can I ask for a decision to be looked at again?

Yes, if you haven’t accepted the offer. You can ask for a review if you were told you are not eligible, if you disagree with the amount of an individually assessed payment, or if you disagree with a deduction from your payment. The law says you should ask within 8 weeks of receiving the decision, although a later request can be accepted if you had a good reason for the delay. Your case worker can tell you more about the review process.

Is there 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.

The Redress Emotional Support Helpline is 0800 211 8403 (calls are usually free; open to anyone, with no referral; leave a message and someone calls you back: before 5pm the same day, or after 5pm or at the weekend the next working day; you can call before you apply). Its workers are not employed by the Scottish Government and can’t see your application.

Someone has contacted me about the scheme. How do I know it’s real?

Scotland’s Redress Scheme will only contact you by phone, email or letter. It doesn’t use WhatsApp, and it will never ask for your bank details by phone, text or email.

Redress Scotland says no one connected with it will contact you first on social media, and its panel members will not phone you about your application.

The Church of England scheme

Is the Church of England scheme open?

Not yet. The Church of England expects its national redress scheme 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.

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

Who can apply, and will I need a lawyer?

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.

Other schemes

What about the 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.

Is there a scheme in Northern Ireland?

Not one you can apply to now. The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board was for people abused as children while living in an institution in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. The last date to apply was 2 April 2025, and the Board is preparing to close.

A separate scheme for people affected by 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 was waiting for Royal Assent, and the Executive Office was consulting on the scheme’s rules. Our guide has the details.

Where this information comes from

• gov.scot: Scotland’s Redress Scheme, mygov.scot (including how it works, help and support and emotional support) and Redress Scotland
• Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: sections 24, 31, 39, 46 and 54
• Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
• Church of England: Redress and its FAQs
• Lambeth Council: Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme
• HIA Redress Board; The Executive Office (Northern Ireland), 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. Looking for a different question? Go back to common questions.