Following our principles

Access to social security is a human right in Scotland. Our social security system is built on our core principles of:

• dignity
• fairness
• respect

Find out more about how these principles:

• are reflected in everything we do in the Decision Making Aid
• are closely linked to our trust-based approach
• shape how we make decisions

Putting our principles into action

In your role you will put these values into action. You play an important part in ensuring that disabled people are able to access all of the support they’re entitled to.

By following our principles, you’ll help Scotland become a country where disabled people:

• are treated fairly
• are trusted to know what’s best for them
• can reach their full potential

Enabling people to access assistance

Your role is to award assistance to those you determine meet the eligibility criteria, using the information and decision-making tools available to you. We have a statutory duty to ensure people receive the assistance they are entitled to (Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, section 24), and you play an important role in fulfilling that responsibility.

Decision-making should follow the Right First Time principles, which ensure fairness and can reduce the occurrence of errors at the earliest opportunity.

There may be times when you encounter information that appears counterfeit, inconsistent, contradictory or inherently improbable.

Such information should never be disregarded.

If you have information that suggests potential fraud regarding an existing case, you should consider contacting the Fraud and Error Risk Analysis and Control team who can support you through making a referral into the fraud investigation team.

Related reading

• Eligibility criteria
• Right First Time: A practical guide for public authorities in Scotland to decision-making and the law
• Fraud advice for decision makers