Scottish Commission on Social Security: business plan 2021 to 2022

6. Our Priorities – 2021/2022

Scrutinising Regulations

• Scrutinise and report on draft regulations referred to SCoSS by Scottish Ministers within agreed timescales.
• Consult (written evidence, round tables, events etc.) with stakeholders to inform our scrutiny of draft regulations where this can add value and is timely and affordable.
• Engage with Scottish Government officials on policy, equality impact assessments, consultations and research.

Social Security Charter

• Develop and implement a strategic approach to fulfil our Charter function.
• Strengthen our relationship with Social Security Scotland.

Communications

• Launch a new website that is independent, transparent, inclusive and provides full access to all our reports and minutes.
• Create a communications plan to support engagement with our stakeholders.
• Develop a Lived Experience framework, utilising existing Lived Experience engagement mechanisms.
• Build strong relationships with Scottish Government Ministers and Parliamentary Committee members with responsibility for social security.

Governance and Assurance

• Develop and deliver our Continuous Improvement Action Plan (CIAP).
• Commence the process for the appointment of a 5^th board member to join SCoSS, strengthening the expertise and capacity of our board.
• Develop our secretariat capacity and capability.
• Appoint an audit advisor to support the board and secretariat with governance and audit-related work including review of governance documentation, advise and support continuous improvement.
• Review and develop our secretariat capacity and capability

Our Objectives

1. Provide expert, independent and evidence-based scrutiny that is informed by human rights and the social security principles.

2. Aim to ensure, where possible, our work involves people who have lived experience of the social security system and organisations with an interest in social security.

3. Aim to help the Scottish Ministers, Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament develop effective regulations that meet policy goals and deliver on expectations in the Social Security Charter, to maximise support to people who rely on Scottish social security.

4. We want people to understand how our decisions are made and are transparent about the way we make decisions.

5. We will aim to provide material on our website which is clear and accessible.

6. Spend public money effectively and efficiently, and ensure that we deliver on all our corporate responsibilities where these are fully within our control.

7. Provide input and evidence to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee during their scrutiny period of draft regulations.

8. Embed a continuous improvement approach to the way in which we operate, supported by a fully resourced secretariat.

Our Priorities

1. Scrutinise and report on draft regulations referred to SCoSS by Scottish Ministers within agreed timescales.

1.1. Consult (written evidence, round tables, events etc) with stakeholders to inform our scrutiny of draft regulations where this can add value and is timely and affordable.

1.1.1. Engage with Scottish Government officials on policy, Equality Impact Assessments, consultations and research.

2. Develop a Lived Experience framework, utilising existing Lived Experience engagement mechanisms.

3. Develop a strategic approach to fulfil our Charter function which also enhances our scrutiny function.

3.1. Strengthen our relationship with Social Security Scotland.

3.1.1. Build strong relationships with Scottish Government Ministers and Parliamentary Committee members with responsibility for social security.

4. Launch a new website that is transparent, inclusive and provides full access to all our reports and minutes.

5. Create a communications plan to support engagement with our stakeholders.

6. Appoint an audit advisor to support the board with governance and audit related work.

7. Develop our capacity and capability through the commencement of recruitment for a 5th board member to join SCoSS, strengthening the expertise of our board.

8. Develop and deliver our Continuous Improvement Action Plan (CIAP).

8.1. Develop our secretariat capacity and capability.

Monitoring our Success

• Our performance, delivery and processes are informed by information, research, lived experience, feedback and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and analyse how the Scottish Government and the Social Justice and Social Security Committee take account of our reports, to ensure we are being effective and influential.
• Conduct regular discussions with the Social Justice and Social Security Committee and the Scottish Government to make sure we are adding value, while maintaining our independence.
• Adopt a lessons learned culture, where we systematically review the effectiveness of our work to identify where improvements could be made.
• Developing our potential ensuring all board members are supported, motivated, skilled and our working practices are flexible and progressive.