Question reference: S5W-33947
- 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 action it is taking to improve the promotion of the Fair Start Scotland programme, in light of its 2020 evaluation report, which found that, of a social security experience panel that had a membership made up of 83% disabled people, 74% said that they had not heard of it.
Answer
As part of continuous improvement activities over the coming year, the Scottish Government and Service Providers will continue to promote Fair Start Scotland, reviewing their marketing strategies to adapt to local labour market needs and potential changes in demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Service Providers have enhanced digital promotion of the service through an increased social media presence, which has had some success in increasing the volume of referrals from third party organisations during the lockdown period.
We are working with Service Providers to generate local action plans to identify new ways to extend awareness of and reach to some of the more under-represented groups on the service.
We will also continue to work with Service Providers and partners, including the Department for Work and Pensions to promote and improve the service to ensure that those who are eligible would benefit from Fair Start Scotland support, are able to do so.