Question reference: S6W-17640
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 3 May 2023
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 15 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a comprehensive audit of Social Security Scotland’s (a) services, (b) communications and (c) training, to ensure that all aspects of its work are trauma-informed and support the mental health and wellbeing of its clients.
Answer
Social Security Scotland is committed to building a trauma-informed workforce. All client facing staff undertake a 6 week “Routeway” training course featuring specific sessions on Trauma Informed Practice and on Mental Health and Supporting Vulnerable People.
Social Security Scotland has been designed with the people who use it to ensure that processes are clear and inclusive and that it delivers support to people with dignity, fairness and respect. 94% of people who took part in the latest annual client survey said they were treated with kindness.
Social Security Scotland have signed the Scottish Government’s Leadership Pledge of Support for trauma-informed practice and are fully committed to building an awareness and understanding of the impact of trauma into their work. This includes understanding when trauma might create barriers for people.