Recruitment to support disability payments

The first phase of an 18 month recruitment programme to deliver Scotland’s newest social security benefits has opened.

These additional roles will initially support delivery of Child Disability Payments by assisting families of children with disabilities or long term health conditions to access the benefits they are entitled to when the new benefit is introduced later this year. From 2022 the staff will also support the introduction of the new Adult Disability Payment. Once fully operational, Social Security Scotland’s staff numbers will be in excess of 1,900.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:

“Social Security Scotland is founded on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect and our people are absolutely key in delivering that. We are looking for more than 100 people with positive attitudes who share our ambition to deliver a public service we can all be proud of.

“Taking our first applications for disability assistance is the next big step for our social security system in Scotland. Like our other benefits we will deliver disability assistance that is centred on the needs of the individual from application onwards.

“To make it as easy as possible for people to find out if they are eligible and to apply, Client Support Advisers will be based in the community, often co-located with local authorities or third sector partners. The number of locally based advisers will increase gradually over the next 18 months as Covid restrictions are relaxed and face-to-face support can be safely reintroduced.”

Social Security Scotland Chief Executive David Wallace said:

“We are committed to increasing diversity within Social Security Scotland so that we reflect the communities we serve.  We are therefore actively seeking applications from people from a range of backgrounds offering flexible, family-friendly working options to successful applicants.”

Background

• Child Disability Payment is the Scottish Government’s replacement for the UK Government’s Disability Living allowance for children and will support families of children and young people with a disability or long term health condition
• Applications for Child Disability Payment will be taken from summer 2021 as part of a pilot in Dundee, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles, ahead of applications being taken across the country in the autumn.
• This will be followed by the introduction of Adult Disability Payment, which will be piloted from spring 2022 and available across the country by summer 2022.
• People will be also able to apply for Child Disability Payment online - a first for Scotland - as well as having the option to apply by phone, post and – subject to pandemic restrictions - face to face. If applicants prefer face to face support, they will be able to make an appointment at a time and place that suits them best.
• Job adverts can be found in local media and job sites or by visiting Social Security Scotland - Current Vacancies