The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing is seeking to appoint two Members to join the Scottish
Commission on Social Security (SCoSS).
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping Scotland’s devolved social security system, ensuring it
operates in line with the principles of dignity, fairness and respect.
SCoSS is an independent advisory Non-Departmental Public Body established by the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.
It provides independent scrutiny of Scottish social security regulations and reports to both the Scottish
Parliament and Scottish Ministers.
SCoSS plays a vital role in:
- Scrutinising draft social security regulations
and making recommendations
- Reporting on how well the Social Security Charter commitments are being met
- Contributing to the continuous improvement of
Scotland’s social security system
Through its work, SCoSS has made a significant
contribution to the development of the Scottish social security system, with many recommendations influencing
legislation.
MEMBER ROLE
As a Member of SCoSS, you will:
- Work collaboratively with fellow Board members
to deliver SCoSS’s statutory functions
- Analyse complex information, including draft regulations, and contribute to evidence-based
recommendations
- Constructively
challenge proposals and support high-quality, timely reporting
- Contribute to strategic discussions, risk assessment, and continuous
improvement
- Engage in Board
governance activities, including business planning and oversight of resources
- Attend regular Board meetings and prepare thoroughly
in advance
- Uphold the
Principles of Public Life in Scotland and the values underpinning the social security system
SCoSS operates as a “working Board”, meaning all
Members actively contribute to scrutiny and decision-making.
Further information
An online information session will be held on Monday 29 June 2026, from 1 pm to 2 pm, led by the
Panel Chair and the Chair of SCoSS.
This session is an opportunity to learn more about what is involved in being a member of the SCoSS Board and to ask
any questions you may have.
If you would like to attend or if you have any questions about the role itself please contact
Stephen.Herbert@socialsecuritycommission.scot.
For any questions about the public appointment process or the application portal please contact
public.appointments@gov.scot.
REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT
The Member role is remunerated at a daily fee of £225, based on a 7.5‑hour day. This fee is set in accordance with
the Scottish
Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy for public appointments. The role is non‑pensionable, meaning no
employer pension contributions are paid
Members devote 36 days per annum to performing your functions as and when required. You will be expected to attend
meetings regularly, prepare in advance, and contribute fully to all aspects of the role.
Board meetings are currently held online approximately once a month, with around one in‑person meeting held annually.
Additional ad hoc online meetings are scheduled as required.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
In respect of these posts, both the priority and
essential criteria are a mandatory requirement.
Priority Criteria
- Good knowledge or experience of Social
Security and the ability to interpret and apply this within the Scottish Social Security
system.
Essential Criteria
- Analysing information and making
recommendations
- Working
collaboratively, constructively and effectively with others.
- Personal Commitment to progressing the Social Security
Principles.
- Challenging the
views of others in a constructive and supportive way
Desirable Criteria
The following criteria are desirable and are not
required for appointment. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will not be disadvantaged unless candidates
are otherwise assessed as being of equal merit:
- Lived experience of poverty, or a strong understanding of the impacts of poverty.
- Lived experience of disability, or a strong understanding of the impacts of disability.