Kirsty Darwent – Chair of Redress Scotland
As the Chair of Redress Scotland, I am delighted to present our Annual Report and accounts for 2024-25 – our third since inception.
At the heart of our work are survivors. Survivors continue to remain at the heart of our work and every decision we make, every improvement we pursue, and every challenge we face, is shaped by our responsibility and commitment to them.
This year, we have seen a significant increase in the number and complexity of applications, and our latest Annual Report highlights how we have responded to this while continuing to uphold the values of dignity, respect, and compassion, that define our organisation.
What have we done this year?
- Redress Scotland received 1,546 applications for redress in 2024/25, a 20% increase on the number received in 2023/24
- 358 initial panel sitting days were complete – a 45.5% increase from the previous year
- 1,266 decisions were completed that resulted in decisions as to whetherto award redress
- We have recruited 25 additional panel members and 3 additional panel support co-ordinators to help make sure we have the right resources to support our work with survivors actively involved in the recruitment and selection of our new panel members
- The decisions made by the Redress Scotland Panel have led to almost £59 million being paid out by the Scottish Government to survivors during 2024 – 2025.
We have also focused on improving efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation. This work has helped us increase the number of decisions and make the best use of all our resources.
Throughout this year, we’ve have asked survivors for their advice and feedback to ensure we keep their voices and experiences at the heart of everything we do at Redress Scotland. This advice and feedback allowed us to review and update progress letters sent to applicants, make improvements to our website to coincide with our accessibility review and create two powerful new videos—one for training our panel members and another to share at our annual conference— so survivor perspective continues to guide and inspire us.
Redress Scotland was established to help address the wrongs of the past. But our work is also about the future—about how we choose to respond to those who were failed in childhood. It is a privilege to be part of that response, and I am proud of the work we have done this year.
Redress Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25
