Information relating to Social Security Scotland room names: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

FOI Reference: FOI/202500462012
Date received: 14 April 2025
Date responded: 14 May 2025

Information requested

Request for information 1:

The names assigned to each meeting or training room in Social Security Scotland buildings along with the respective summary text displayed at each room entrance.

Request for information 2:

The reasons why each individual room name was chosen; e.g. why that particular room name is seen to provide inspiration or the values that particular room name demonstrates.

Request for information 3:

The criteria against which nominated room names where evaluated, e.g. what those who judged the list of potential room names were advised to look for as being a good candidate room name.

Request for information 4:

The reasoning behind naming rooms in this way.

Response

Request for information 1:

Attached are two documents with the names and summary texts displayed at each room entrance in Agnes Husband House, Dundee, and 220 High Street, Glasgow.

Request for information 2 and 3

Each nominated room name was chosen based on the following criteria:

• the individual could be historical or living
• they should embody Social Security Scotland values of dignity, fairness and respect; and
• they should have connections to Dundee or Glasgow, or have contributed to society in a way that reflects or complements our organisational values.

Social Security Scotland asked for room name suggestions from staff, stakeholders, local historians and experience panel members, which included people with lived experience of social security.

A list of nominations was reviewed by the Strategic Communications and Marketing Team to ensure diversity and inclusion as well as carrying out due diligence in line with our values of dignity, fairness and respect.

The stakeholders contacted were:

• ALLIANCE Scotland
• Aberlour – Scotland’s children’s charity
• Action for Children
• BEMIS (Scotland and the African, Caribbean and Black Inclusive Vaccination Sub-Group)
• CEMVO Scotland
• CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland)
• COSLA’s community wellbeing including Gypsy travellers
• Deaf Scotland
• Engender
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion from Trust Housing Association
• Ewan Gurr, Executive Advisory Body representative
• Glasgow Disability Alliance
• Inclusion Scotland
• People First Scotland
• Racial Equality

The summary text provided within question one details the reasons why these individuals were chosen. Social Security Scotland based their assessment of the individuals on information that was available at the time.

Request for information 4:

The naming process was designed to enhance staff engagement by involving them in decisions about our spaces. We also sought input from diverse regional stakeholders to ensure a wide range of nominations. This approach reflects the culture we aim to create and inspire.

About FOI

Social Security Scotland is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. The Scottish Government also publishes responses to requests. You can view the responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.