Inside Aberdeenshire’s child-friendly trauma support

By AtheneNet | Source account: Aberdeenshire Council News, September 2026

The Princess Royal met children, parents and carers during a visit to Aberdeenshire Bairns’ Hoose, where young people affected by abuse, neglect, violence or trauma can receive specialist support in one setting.

The visit also brought together professionals from social work, policing, healthcare and Scotland’s justice agencies. Aberdeenshire Provost Judy Whyte, council representatives and senior staff from Children First explained how the service is intended to support children from disclosure through recovery.

One safe setting from disclosure to recovery

Aberdeenshire Bairns’ Hoose brings child protection, criminal investigation, health services and recovery support under one roof. Its rooms were designed with input from children and young people to provide a safe, welcoming environment while they move through child protection and justice processes.

The service follows a trauma-informed approach, meaning support is organised around the child’s experiences and recovery needs. Police Scotland, social workers, paediatricians and representatives of the courts, children’s hearings and prosecution services are among the professionals involved.

Families receive support alongside their children

Parents and carers can receive help to understand what a child has experienced and how they can assist with recovery. This family support sits alongside the specialist services provided directly to the child.

Whyte said the Aberdeenshire centre gives more children and young people in rural communities access to care that might otherwise be difficult to reach. Children First chief executive Mary Glasgow said the coordinated setting is designed to prevent protection and justice systems from causing children further distress.

An Icelandic model adapted for Aberdeenshire

The Bairns’ Hoose model is based on the Barnahus approach developed in Iceland. It was introduced in Scotland in 2023, when Children First opened the country’s first Bairns’ Hoose in North Strathclyde.

The Aberdeenshire service was developed by Aberdeenshire Council Children’s Services, Children First, Police Scotland, NHS Grampian and several justice-sector partners, with Edinburgh University also involved. It is one of six Scottish Government pathfinder projects testing how the model can work in different communities and improve support for children who have been victims or witnesses of crime.

Source: Aberdeenshire Council News