CAS sent a briefing to MSPs ahead of the 'Building a Social Security System Together: Co-designing the Social Security Charter' debate, highlighting suggestions for the Charter from CAB clients and advisers and encouraging an approach of co-production with people who have direct experience of using the current social security system.
-
The Social Security Charter has the potential to improve the experience of using the social security system for people who need support from it.
-
CAS believes the most important role of the Charter is to embed the Social Security Principles into the system to empower those using it to challenge substandard service and seek redress, and to train all staff who come into contact with system users.
-
CAS welcomes the Charter being co-designed with people with lived experience of the social security system, which we would consider essential to it being meaningful
-
CAS would recommend the Parliament consider how it might enable any other individual or organisation with an interest to be consulted, as part of its scrutiny of the draft Charter.
-
CAS believes the Charter will be strongest if it encompasses all parties involved in the social security system, rather than being solely aimed at individuals who use the system.
-
CAB clients with lived experience have previously suggested a number of points for inclusion in the Charter. These are appended to the briefing to give a flavour of what might emerge from the co-design process.