Person-centred decision-making

The Scottish Government is committed to both:

• creating a system of social security that meets the needs of the people of Scotland
• ensuring that the values of dignity, fairness and respect are embedded in the system.

Client advisers should take a person-centred approach to decision-making by:

• taking into account all of an individual’s circumstances
• listening to the individual
• treating them as an individual
• recognising that the individual understands their own life best
• considering the individual’s support network, caring responsibilities and work responsibilities
• approaching decisions from a position of trust
• only seeking one source of supporting information where required. For example, as evidence for exemption from the past presence test, or evidence of earnings