Understanding and interpreting supporting information
This chapter explains how supporting information is used.
This guidance is for case managers working for Social Security Scotland. In this chapter, the case manager will be referred to as “you”. Social Security Scotland will be referred to as “us” or “we”.
Supporting information is information from:
- professionals
- the individual’s wider support network
It’s added to the information provided by the individual in their application or review form. It is used to support an individual’s application or review. It also helps:
- build a picture of how an individual’s disability or condition impacts their life and clarifies inconsistencies
There are two types of supporting information:
- confirmation from a professional
- additional supporting information
This guidance uses the updated terms for the two types of supporting information. These are:
- confirmation from a professional (previously known as one piece of supporting information from a professional)
- additional supporting information (previously known as supporting information from the client’s wider support network and further supporting information from a professional)
These terms are explored in more detail in the Gathering supporting information chapter. In this chapter, ‘supporting information’ refers to additional supporting information which is used to establish an individual’s level of need, rather than confirmation from a professional (unless otherwise stated).
In this chapter
The purpose of supporting information
Considering the value of supporting information
Inconsistencies and gaps in supporting information
Equal consideration
Accepting or rejecting one source of supporting information as ‘fact’
Establishing an individual’s needs and impact of their condition
Related reading:
- Gathering supporting information
- Types of supporting information
- Role of supporting information
- Principles of decision making chapter
- making robust decisions
- other decision making tools