Independent Review of Historical Abuse of Children in Care of Lord and Lady Polwarth Children's Home, Edinburgh

On 14th August 2013, Ian Samson, a former employee of the Church of Scotland, was convicted of 22 serious sexual offences against children. Twelve instances involved eight children placed in the Lord and Lady Polwarth Children's Home, Edinburgh when Samson was Superintendent/Houseparent-in Charge between 1975 and 1981. The remit of this review was to examine the policies and safeguarding practices which were in operation in the 1970s and 1980s, and to consider current policies in order to make recommendations about any issues or areas of concern which may have implications for current policy and practice. The independent review recommended that there should be:
- an audit of the use of current safeguarding and protection policies and procedures,
- continuing review and updating of recruitment and selection policies and procedures,
- continuing review and updating of policies and procedures in relation to listening to people who use services, ensuring that mechanisms for user feedback, complaints and compliments are clear and transparent, that advocacy is effective and supportive, and whistleblowing.
- continuing review and updating of training and professional development in relation to protection, risk and historic abuse.
- continuing review and updating of record keeping, records management and archiving policy and practice, including information and support for adults who stayed in Church of Scotland residential care as children,
- CrossReach should take the opportunity of this Review to emphasise their deep regret for the harm experienced by the victims, and consider further support and recompense to the survivors of abuse at the Lord and Lady Polwarth Children's Home.