How to apply for Scotland's Redress Scheme

You can apply by either:

• filling in the application forms and emailing them to a case worker
• contacting a case worker  by phone or email who will send you paper application forms in the post

Once you get your forms you can complete them at your own pace.

The application forms you should complete are different depending on the type of payment you want to apply for

• For a Fixed Rate Payment application, you should fill in Part 1 and Part 2.
• For an Individually Assessed Payment application you should fill in Part 1 and Part 3.

You may be asked to include:

• certified ID
• information showing you were resident in a relevant care setting
• a statement of abuse
• information on previous relevant criminal convictions
• information on previous relevant payments you have received
• other documents to support an individually assessed payment application such as a statement from a family member or GP records that supports your statement of abuse

If you need help with the form

You can get help with filling out your application form.

There are different types of support available to help you through the process.

You can send your forms to a case worker at any time, even if they're not complete. Your case worker will then work with you to add any missing information. When you’re ready, send your paper application form to a case worker at:

Redress
PO Box 24209
EDINBURGH
EH7 9GT

Or email it to apply@redress-scheme.scot

A case worker will contact you to review your application. The time it takes to contact you depends on the number of applications the team is dealing with.

Applicants will be given priority if they:

• have a terminal illness
• are aged 68 or over

 Your case worker will tell you if any information is missing. They can also help you find out where to get this information if you do not already have it.

Your caseworker may have to contact organisations to verify the information you give. This could include confirming:

• where you were in care
• the dates you were in care
• if you've had any payments such as Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Payments, court awarded damages or payments from the Advanced Payment Scheme

Your case worker can help you decide when your application is complete. They'll ask you if you want to review the whole application before they send it to Redress Scotland. Your case worker will not send your application until you're satisfied it's final.

Redress Scotland are an independent organisation.

They'll write to you to let you know they have received your application and how long a decision will take. You can read more about the timescales for decisions on the Redress Scotland website.

Redress Scotland will organise a panel to make a decision on your application. A panel is made up of 2 or 3 panel members. Panel members are people from different professional backgrounds and experiences. The panel may contact your caseworker if they need more information.

Once a decision is made, Redress Scotland will send a decision letter to your case worker.

Your case worker will send you the decision letter from Redress Scotland. 

If you receive an offer you will also receive a waiver to sign. The waiver is a legal document and you should speak to a solicitor for independent legal advice.

You can read the Summary of Options guide for more information about what you can do once you've had an offer.

If you accept the offer

If you accept the offer you will usually get a payment within 10 days. An apology and emotional support are also available alongside financial redress.

If you do not accept the offer

You can request a review of Redress Scotland’s decision if you are not happy with it. You can ask for a review on:

• whether you're eligible for a redress payment
• the amount of your offer
• any deductions from your redress offer because of a previous payment

You must ask for a review within 8 weeks of the date you receive a decision letter. The review will be considered by a different Redress Scotland panel from your original application.

Your case worker can tell you more about the review process.