Recovery in Aberdeen City
In Aberdeen City, we have been exploring the concept of 'recovery' and envisioning how it should look and feel for those accessing it within the Bairns Hoose. Our goal is to support the improvement and transformation of practices, policies, and systems to ensure that children and families in Aberdeen who have experienced or caused harm to receive consistent and holistic support for their recovery.
The Bairns Hoose Standards for Scotland emphasise therapeutic recovery support as a core component of the model, highlighting children's rights to access support. Key aspects include:
- Timely access to assessment and support
- Options for short, medium, and long-term support
- Individualised and specialist support
- Access to information and the right to inform decision-making
- Access to therapeutic support that addresses trauma
- Support that includes family and carers
System Around the Child and Their Parent/Carer
When exploring recovery in Aberdeen, we focus on the system surrounding the child, considering the needs of both the child and their parent/carer. This approach helps us understand what is best for children and their families, how they access recovery support, and how we can offer choices without overwhelming them.
Recovery will look and feel different to every child and their family, depending on their needs and wants from the service. We are aware that trust and positive relationships is essential in recovery work. We consider the professionals already involved with the child and parent/carer to understand the existing support. Our aim is to ensure that any recovery work is responsive and flexible to the child's needs and is carried out by those best placed to support the child and their family. This can include professionals with established relationships, such as school nurses, education professionals, and social workers. It is hoped that consultations with professionals working with children will allow for focused recovery work to be undertaken.
If additional support is needed, decisions will be made about whether to allocate an Advocacy, Rights, and Recovery (ARR) worker and/or access pathways for more specialist support, such as CAMHS, SALT, or sexual health services.
Recovery should be directed by children and families, recognising that they will need support at different stages of their journey. They can be referred at any time and not just considered immediately after the ‘incident’ that has led to IRD/JII – as we know often families do not feel they need it at the time but may require input at later stage. We remain responsive and flexible in our approach, offering targeted support based on the child's identified needs.
Our experience with the Fit Like Hubs has shown a clear need for more innovative approaches—such as creating parenting support groups where parents and carers can not only receive advice and guidance but also connect with one another for valuable peer support.
Our recovery service is continually evolving, and through feedback, we hope to understand how our current approaches, teams, and services fit together to create a holistic approach. We aim to ensure that the support offered is consistent, responsive, and flexible.
All referrals should be sent to the Bairns’ Hoose email address (Bairns’Hoose@aberdeencity.gov.uk) where they will be allocated by the Bairns’ Hoose Co-ordinator.
See Accessing the Bairns' Hoose | Aberdeen City Council.
Health & Wellbeing in Aberdeen City’s Bairns’ Hoose – Latest Developments
We are pleased to share several positive developments in health and wellbeing services at Bairns’ Hoose:
Interim Health and Wellbeing Coordinator: An interim coordinator is now in post, strengthening our support for children and young people while we recruit a permanent team member.
Paediatrician Recruitment and Funding: Additional funding has been secured to introduce a part-time paediatrician at Bairns’ Hoose. This vital role will facilitate forensic medicals on-site, and recruitment is underway for this test-of-change post.
Speech and Language Therapy Expansion: A dedicated Speech and Language Therapist has joined Bairns’ Hoose to work directly with children and young people. Recruitment for a Band 4 Assistant is also in progress to further enhance this support.
Sexual Health Clinic Walkthrough: We now offer a walkthrough video tour of the Frederick Street Sexual Health Clinic. This resource helps prepare young people by showing them what to expect and introduces them to the service in a friendly, accessible way.
SARC Child Protection Medical Videos: Two age-appropriate SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) videos have been produced to explain the child protection medical process to children and young people. Both videos highlight the importance of consent and aim to make the experience less daunting.
SARCS Network CYP CFME Video - Younger Children on Vimeo
SARCS Network CYP CFME Video - Older Children on Vimeo
Dental Services Collaboration: Discussions with dental colleagues are ongoing regarding ways to support children and young people at Bairns’ Hoose. As a start, we will be able to provide toothbrushing kits as gifts to those who attend.
Early Literacy Resources: We are in contact with the Scottish Book Trust and our local Bookbug coordinator to explore new early literacy resources. The aim is to have materials available at Bairns’ Hoose to encourage and support children’s literacy development.
You can find our previous bulletins at Bairns' Hoose News.