Bairns’ Hoose Delivery
Delivery of Bairns’ Hoose is underpinned by the Bairns’ Hoose Standards. These Standards provide a common operation and organisational framework for the implementation of Bairns’ Hoose designed around the needs and rights of children.
Launched in October 2023, the focus of the Pathfinder phase is to test the delivery of Bairns’ Hoose in practice across diverse local contexts, including remote and island settings to identify effective models, generate learning and understand the practical requirements and resources required for national implementation. The Bairns’ Hoose programme is delivered by 20 partnerships across Scotland, bringing together key statutory partners across health, local authorities and Police Scotland, alongside third sector organisations, education and justice partners. Partnerships are structured into three groups:
- the six Pathfinders are Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Fife, North Strathclyde, Outer Hebrides and Tayside
- the four Affiliates are Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Highland and Sycamore
- the ten Development areas are Argyll and Bute, Forth Valley, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Moray, Orkney, Scottish Borders, Shetland, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian
Now in its final Pathfinder year, the Bairns’ Hoose programme continues to make significant progress towards incremental national roll-out from 2027. We are delighted by the progress being made with several operational sites delivering Bairns’ Hoose style services across Scotland, with a number of sites to become operational by the end of 2026.
Scottish Government investment in Bairns’ Hoose
Since 2021, The Scottish Government has invested over £30 million in the Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder programme including £10.5 million in 2026/2027.
This investment is supporting lasting and transformative change across local systems, enabling partners to build and sustain skilled teams, strengthen collaboration and deliver more joined-up support for children and young people.