Members' Business — S6M-10262 Rona Mackay: Opening of Scotland’s First Bairns’ Hoose

That the Parliament expresses its delight at the establishment of the first Bairns’ Hoose in Scotland, providing children in north Strathclyde who are the victims or witnesses of abuse or violence with access to protection, care and recovery services under one roof, and improving the way that they are dealt with within the Scottish justice system; understands that the first Bairns’ Hoose will support children, young people and members of their family from East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire; commends the charity, Children 1st, which has led the way in ensuring the development of Scotland’s first Bairns’ Hoose, supported by the partners, Victim Support Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, Children England and the Postcode Dream Fund, which is made possible by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery; believes that Bairns’ Hoose is based on an alternative model first developed in Iceland, called Barnahus; notes that the space has been designed in collaboration with children and young people for children and young people, and includes calming wall colours, soft and comfortable furnishings, and a safe and secure garden, which will offer breathing space for those who need it; further notes the inclusion of high-quality technical facilities, including space to record evidence and deliver live links to court within a nurturing environment, and welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that all children who have experienced harm as a result of abuse or violence will have access to a Bairns’ Hoose.