MPs and peers hear about London's Child House – the UCLH Lighthouse

Members of Parliament, Peers and partners from the health, care, criminal justice and charity sectors joined the UCLH Lighthouse team at an event in the House of Commons to hear more about the role of Child Houses in supporting child victims of sexual abuse.

The Lighthouse is based in Camden and run by UCLH, working with the Met Police and NSPCC. The service brings together health and therapeutic services, law enforcement, criminal justice, case management and specialist advice and advocacy services under one roof. The Lighthouse is England’s only Child House and is commissioned to support children from five boroughs in North Central London only.  

The House of Commons event heard from Bragi Guðbrandsson, founder of the Barnahus (Child House) model and vice chair of the UN Committee on the rights of the Child, Dame Rachel De Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England and Claire Waxman, Victims’ Commissioner for London who gave their reflections on the international and national picture, why the Child House model is so important for child victims and their families, and how we can support a national roll-out.

Bragi Guðbrandsson, founder of the first Barnahus (Child House) in Iceland, said,

“It was wonderful to join the Lighthouse team in Parliament to share learning from the growing network of Barnahus across Europe. One of the benefits of the Child House model is its flexibility and how it can work well in different legal and judiciary systems in different countries. What all Child Houses have in common is how the holistic care and support they provide is helping child victims of sexual abuse heal and achieve justice.”

Dame Rachel De Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, added,

“I am a huge advocate of the Child House model and it was wonderful to share a platform with Bragi Guðbrandsson who founded the model in Iceland. The Lighthouse and the Child House model is a shining example of how services can be brought together under one roof to help child victims of sexual abuse feel cared for, listened to, and get justice. I would like to see many more Child Houses across the country.”

Dr Sara Stoneham, divisional clinical director for Children and Young People’s services at UCLH, said,

“The Lighthouse is a really special place where children and young people who have been the victims of the most terrible crimes can receive the care and support they need in one place without having to repeat their story multiple times. It was a fantastic opportunity to share the wonderful work of the Lighthouse with politicians and partners.”

Watch our video that was shown at the Parliamentary event, in which a family talks about their experience with the Lighthouse service.

UCLH Charity is raising money to support the Lighthouse. Visit our appeal page for more information, found here.

Find out more about the Lighthouse here.