Timeline

Please note: In our timeline we refer to ‘historic child abuse’. This term refers to abuse which has not occurred recently, although the impacts of the abuse may be present and ongoing. We understand that, for many people, the term ‘historic’ does not acknowledge the ongoing impact of abuse and neglect. 

2010: Scottish Human Rights Commission publishes the Human Rights Framework for Justice and Remedies for Historic Child Abuse.

2014: Following the “InterAction” process that brought together survivors of abuse, religious leaders and representatives from Scottish Government, an Action Plan for Justice and Remedies is published. The Action Plan calls for accountability of historic abuse of children in care to be upheld, including access to justice, effective remedies and reparation. 

2015: Independent Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is established.

2015: The Scottish Government published its Survivor Scotland strategy. This aimed to improve services for people who had experienced in-care childhood abuse. One of the recommendations in the strategy was to set up a dedicated support fund. 

2016: Future Pathways (originally called In Care Survivors Fund) is launched in direct response to the recommendation to establish a support fund. It is delivered by the In Care Survivors Alliance. At this point, the Alliance comprised Glasgow Psychological Trauma Services, Health in Mind, Mental Health Foundation, Penumbra Mental Health and the Scottish Government. 

2017: After consultation with survivors, the name of the service was changed to Future Pathways in February 2017.

2019: The Advance Payment scheme opens to people who were subject to child abuse whilst in care in Scotland before December 2004 and who have a terminal illness or are aged 68 or over. 

2020: Covid-19 pandemic leads to Future Pathways offering remote support.

2021: Mental Health Foundation leaves the Alliance.

2021: Scotland’s Redress Scheme is launched to offer financial and non-financial redress to people who experienced abuse or neglect as children in the Scottish care system. 

2021: Redress Support Service opens to provide emotional and practical support to people accessing the scheme. Redress Support Service is delivered by the In Care Survivors Alliance.