Correspondence between Fair Start Scotland and programme participants: FOI release

Information requested

A copy of all feedback or complaints or correspondence between Fair Start Scotland and programme participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition, in 2021 to date.

Response

I attach a copy of some of the information you requested. Please see attached documents.

For ease, I have included information below which outlines what has been included as part of our response:-

• A copy of complaints submitted by Fair Start Scotland (FSS) participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition to the Scottish Government or FSS Service Providers.
• A copy of feedback from FSS participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition in the form of Good News Stories, Case Studies and participant focus group findings submitted to the Scottish Government from FSS Service Providers.
• A copy of weekly summaries submitted to the Scottish Government by FSS Service Providers which include feedback from FSS participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition.
• A copy of Annual Report Stencils submitted to the Scottish Government by FSS Service Providers which include feedback from FSS participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition.
• A copy of interview transcripts with FSS participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition who have taken part in research for the FSS Evaluation during 2021.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section(s) 38(1)(b) (personal information)] of FOISA applies to that information. This refers to Fair Start Scotland participant personal and sensitive information and any other information which would create a realistic prospect of the individual being identified by a third party.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. Therefore any information which is deemed to be personal or sensitive to a Fair Start Scotland participant or which would create a realistic prospect of the individual being identified by a third party has been redacted.

In line with your request, we have only included documents where it is clear that the participant has declared disability or long term health condition. It should also be noted that in some cases, information has been redacted from the attached documents as the information is not considered to be within scope of your request.

With regards to your request for “correspondence between Fair Start Scotland and programme participants identifying as disabled or as having a long-term health condition, in 2021”, this information has not been included. This is because the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600.

This is a wide request due to the number of participants who have previously been or are currently participating within Fair Start Scotland during the defined timeframe and who correspond via email / texts as part of their weekly engagement with their Service Provider. You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request to include a specific subject matter in order that the costs can be brought below £600.

Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.

In addition to the research evaluation transcripts which provide a copy of feedback between FSS participants and the Scottish Government’s Social Researchers, I have included links to the three Fair Start Scotland annual reports and four evaluation reports which provide an overview of Fair Start Scotland progress to date and incorporate participant feedback. This information is available at www.gov.scot.

Fair Start Scotland Annual Reports
Fair Start Scotland Annual Report year 3
Fair Start Scotland Annual Report year 2
Fair Start Scotland Annual Report year 1

Fair Start Scotland Evaluation Reports
Fair Start Scotland Evaluation Report - Overview of year three
Fair Start Scotland - evaluation report 3: Overview of year two
Fair Start Scotland Evaluation Report 2: overview of year one
Fair Start Scotland Evaluation Report 1 Implementation and early delivery review

I have also attached a link to the Employability in Scotland webpage which includes links to Fair Start Scotland participant feedback and Fair Start Scotland Service Provider webpages which also includes Fair Start Scotland participant feedback.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Due to the size of the files we are unable to upload the documents referred to above. If you wish to consider, please contact us at the address below and we will be happy to provide.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.