The general functions of NCF are—
(a)to provide means for persons who were placed in institutional care as children to describe in confidence (such descriptions being referred to in this Act as “testimony”)—
(i)experiences of that care,
(ii)any abuse experienced during the period spent in that care,
(b)to acknowledge testimony by enabling it to be given at hearings established by NCF or by written or other means,
(c)based on testimony received—
(i)to identify any patterns and trends in the experiences of persons placed in institutional care as children (including the causes, nature, scale and circumstances of any abuse experienced), and
(ii)to make recommendations about policy and practice which NCF considers will improve institutional care (including by protecting children from, and preventing or reducing the incidence of, abuse),
(d)while preserving the anonymity of participants, establishments providing institutional care and other persons, to prepare reports of the testimony it receives and its recommendations in relation to them,
(e)to provide information about advice and assistance available to persons giving, or proposing to give, testimony.]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 4ZA-4ZD inserted (18.1.2014 for the purpose of the insertion of s. 4ZA, 1.7.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 1), ss. 30, 34(1); S.S.I. 2014/117, art. 3