Consultation on Job Grant

Annex B: Job Grant - Child’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment Summary

Who have we involved in our deliberations?

1. A wide range of internal stakeholders have been involved in developing the policy: - Cross cutting meetings have been held with Scottish Government colleagues working on Employability, Transport, Looked After Children, Child Poverty, Justice and Young Carers.

2. Representatives from our external stakeholders including, Who Cares? Scotland, Young Scot, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations SCVO, Princes Trust, and Skills Development Scotland have attended meetings to help with the development of this policy.

3. The Scottish Government ran two workshops, held and facilitated by Young Scot and the Princes Trust, with young people to hear from them directly about the issues that impact on them when moving into work.

Policy Objectives

4. The policy intention is to smooth the transition into employment for young people and, in recognition of parents who will apply, children within those families will be positively impacted.

5. The Job Grant is expected is to have a positive effect on young people by removing the initial concerns regarding how they will manage financially until they are in receipt of a regular income from their employment.

6. The grant offers a greater payment to parents (who will receive a payment of £400 rather than £250) and it is expected that this will have an indirect positive impact on the children within those families, as well as directly on young people aged 16 and 17.

7. Helping young people financially as they enter employment is expected to have a positive impact on the wider community. Young people may use the grant in local shops, transport and other facilities resulting in contributing to the wider economy.

Children’s rights and Wellbeing likely to be affected by the Job Grant

8. The grant is for young people aged 16-24 years old (up to 26 years old for care leavers)) and will directly impact on 16 and 17 year olds who have been out of paid work for six months or more, and who have been in receipt of a qualifying benefit specified by the Scottish Government. Care leavers aged 16 and 17 will not have to meet the 6 month period, and so will receive support as long as they are on a qualifying benefit and have received a job offer.

9. Reports into youth unemployment have stated that “experiencing sustained periods of being out of work at a young age can have a lasting negative impact on young people’s future earning and employment potential”.

10. In line with Social Security Scotland’s principles of dignity, respect and fairness, and with involving people with lived experience in the development of benefits, the Scottish Government ran two workshops, held and facilitated by Young Scot and the Princes Trust, with young people to hear from them directly about the issues that impact on them when moving into work.

11. The financial payment of £250 or £400 is in line with the Social Security principle that young people either through their guardians or directly have the right to help from the government if they in need.

12. Employment can improve quality of life, mental health, social networks and social inclusion. Offering financial support to those furthest from the labour market, creates opportunity to young people for cultural, artist, recreational and leisure activity.

13. The Job Grant aims to help deliver the key Social Security outcome that young people aged 16-18 are able to participate fully in society, and if they choose, can engage in training, education and employment opportunities, as well as social and leisure.

14. To ensure young people are fully aware of the Job Grant, the Scottish Government will develop a communications strategy to promote take-up. In addition we will encourage organisations that work with young people to signpost them to the Job Grant.

15. The Job Grant could help prevent young people from mental health issues as it is expected to alleviate the stress and anxiety about the costs of making the transition into employment.

16. The Job Grant could help alleviate the stress and anxiety often experienced by young people about the costs of making the transition into employment.

17. One of the main aims of the Job Grant is to improve employment attainment which results in overall prosperity.

18. Having a regular wage income helps to enable young people to take part in leisure and social activities, short breaks, or to participate in sports and hobbies.

19. Regular employment enables young people to become financially independent and allows them to make more life style choices.

20. Employment allows young people 16-18 to interact with colleagues, build up supportive networks, create more opportunities and helps to reduce isolation.

Question 12: Are you aware of any impacts on children's rights and wellbeing which are not identified here? Y/N

Question 13: If yes, please provide details