The In Care Survivors Service Scotland, a partnership led by Open Secret, is a new support service for adults who suffered childhood abuse in care and their families.

It is a team of specialists offering help specifically for survivors of historic in-care abuse under a new national framework of advocacy, mediation and counselling services, including:

• A hub of locally based development workers able to link up with services across Scotland to offer survivors and their families support, advocacy and confidential counselling;
• A national confidential telephone support line - 0800 121 6027 - providing support, guidance and advocacy to those who suffered abuse and their families;
• A new website and leaflet campaign highlighting the support available; and
• Help for survivors to access the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme and support to pursue other legal issues (for example support to attend court).

A rota of staff and volunteers, trained in working with survivors,  will operate the telephone support line and also offer face-to-face outreach services to survivors across Scotland. The measures form part of SurvivorScotland, the national strategy which aims to improve services supporting those who have suffered childhood sexual abuse.