For decades, many children in residential care settings in Scotland were failed by those entrusted to look after them. Under a national scheme, survivors of historical child abuse in care will be able to apply for financial redress payments of up to £100,000, as well as access to an apology and support.

Redress Scotland is the Non-Departmental Public Body responsible for deciding levels of financial redress to be awarded to survivors and, in some cases, next of kin. Redress Scotland is independent of the Scottish Government.

Redress Scotland has an Oversight Board, an Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee, and other committee functions on an ad hoc basis. These have been designed to ensure that the governance of the public body is robust and contributes to the trust and confidence that is critical to delivering the mission, values and strategic aims of the organisation. In line with our governance structure we have an annual general meeting of all panel members and board members who form the Corporate Body. The governance structures follow the procedural rules for Redress Scotland, which have been approved by Scottish Ministers.

The role carries a high level of autonomy and covers a broad remit including scheduling all board, committee and general meetings; issuing invitations to governance meetings, monitoring and providing reports on attendance; ensuring that all policy, guidance and the rules of procedure are followed, reporting any issues or breaches; ensuring that a register of interests is in place, kept up to date and regularly reviewed for all members; quality assuring the presentation of all committee, board and general meeting reports; preparing agendas for all committee, board and general meetings; working closely with the Chief Executive and Chairs to ensure that governance meetings are managed to a high standard; and completing an accurate minute of all meetings and agreeing this with the relevant chair.