As Scotland continues through the Pathfinder phase of the Bairns’ Hoose programme, recent international visits have brought valuable insight from partners in both London and Oslo. These visits have reinforced the importance of learning from Barnahus models established elsewhere, which will be crucial to informing the development of the Bairns’ Hoose blueprint.
In February 2025, colleagues attended the UK Parliamentary Seminar: Child Houses – Health, therapy and criminal justice for victims of child sexual abuse under one roof and visited The Lighthouse in Camden, England’s only Child House. Featuring speakers from the UK, Iceland and beyond, including Bragi Gudbrandsson, founder of the original Barnahus model, the seminar and visit highlighted the importance of holistic, child-centred approaches that bring together healthcare, justice and therapeutic support.
At The Lighthouse, staff shared key lessons from their work supporting over 200 children per year, including the importance of involving children and families in the design of services and maintaining strong multi-agency relationships despite funding and operational challenges.
In March 2025, colleagues had the opportunity to meet with researchers at OsloMet University and with staff at Statens Barnehus Oslo, part of Norway’s national Barnahus network. Norway introduced its first Barnahus sites in the late 2000s and now has 11 centres and 3 satellite locations. Barnehus are integrated into the justice system, with staff employed by the police and operations guided by national guidelines produced in partnership between health, justice and children and families directorates. Each centre provides forensic interviews, medical assessments and follow-up care in child-friendly surroundings.
The Oslo visit offered rich insight into delivering a mature model at scale, including approaches to staff wellbeing, professional development, and expanding access for children in rural communities and those who have caused harm. While there are important contextual differences, the visit reinforced shared values around placing the needs of children at the centre, and the benefits of sustained investment in multi-agency, rights-based practice.
These international visits have helped shape thinking relating to testing the Bairns’ Hoose Standards in Scotland. The exchange of ideas and practice continues to play a crucial role as we build a model that is both ambitious and deliverable.
In the summer, colleagues will attend the European Barnahus Network Conference in Tallinn, Estonia. This event will provide further opportunities to build partnerships, share learning, and ensure that Scotland’s Bairns’ Hoose continues to be informed by the very best of international experience.