Thousands of people with direct personal experience of the current benefits system have signed up to help shape the delivery of benefits in Scotland’s new social security system. As recruitment comes to a close, the latest volunteer figures for the Experience Panels stand at 2,335 – far in excess of the minimum 2,000 initially sought after – and applications will still be accepted over the next few weeks.
The panels are made up of people from all areas of the country who will help to build and refine a model for Scotland.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: “The response to our recruitment drive has been excellent and I am grateful to everyone who has decided to join us and help shape this new system for Scotland.
“This is a golden opportunity for us to learn from the experiences of those who use the current system and their input will be vital to us for each step of the way.
“I’ve already ruled out private sector involvement in assessments and given assurances that the agency itself will have a local presence with a human face where people can go to get one-to-one support if required – it’s all part of treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve.
“I’ll be writing in the next week or so to everyone who has volunteered to work in partnership with us to personally thank them and set out the important work that the Experience Panels will take forward.”
Full information on how you can shape the system can be found on the The Scottish Government’s website:
Have Your Say. Join Experience Panels and help us shape the new Scottish social security system.
The Scottish Government will become responsible for some of the benefits currently paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
We want to work with people who have recent experience of these benefits so that we can design a new social security system with – and for – the people of Scotland.
View the ‘Have your say’ invitation or take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Experience Panels, and what taking part will involve.
Complete the registration form online or print out the registration form and return it by post.
Return your form to:
Freepost SOCIAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE PANELS. (No stamp required)
If you need additional support to register, you can call us on Freephone 0800 029 4974 and we will help you to complete it over the phone.
The Freephone line is open between the following times:
Monday – Friday: 0830 – 1800 and Saturday: 0900 – 1700
Phone line translation is available if required. British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via www.contactscotland-bsl.org. Text phone users can call using the 18001 prefix or SMS users on 07467 447375.
To join the Experience Panels, you will need to fill out the registration form with your details so that you can be contacted about taking part in future Experience Panels research.
The information that you provide will be used for research purposes, will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared outwith the Scottish Government. More information is provided on the ‘Have your say’ invitation.
Registration closes on the 12 May 2017 (NOTE: this has been extended).
View the ‘Have your say’ invitation or take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Experience Panels, and what taking part will involve.
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