Question reference: S5W-33946
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 9 December 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 18 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures suggesting that 51% of the people who joined the Fair Start Scotland Scheme in Year 2 left it early.
Answer
Fair Start Scotland is an entirely voluntary service where people are not driven to take part by the fear of benefit sanctions. Participants retain the right to leave at any time as they can face a range of challenges and barriers, due to changes in their circumstances, health or for personal reasons. We know from previous research on the transitional employment services (Work First and Work Able Scotland) that participants often leave as a result of a temporary deterioration in their physical or mental health.
As part of our continuous improvement activities over the coming year, we will continue to explore ways to reduce the volume of participants leaving the service early, including improvements to specialist support for those who need it and the introduction of a “right to re-referral” for participants who left early or completed their support without moving into work. Our next FSS evaluation report, due to be published in Autumn 2021 will also include an in depth focus on early leavers and we will ensure that any learning from the results is promptly put into practice throughout the contract extension period.
In line with the values of dignity and respect inherent to Fair Start Scotland, participants continue to be positive about their experience of the service. Of those surveyed for the Year 2 evaluation report:
- 91% of people who have used the service feel they were treated with dignity and respect;
- 80% of people felt the service took account of their individual needs and circumstances; and
- 81% of people felt the service offered support to improve their general quality of life and wellbeing.