Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard Programme Of Research: End Of Life

3rd December 2021

This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices' research programme.

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PUBLICATION - RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard Programme Of Research: End Of Life
Published: 3 Dec 2021
From: Director-General CommunitiesDirectorate: Housing and Social Justice DirectorateISBN: 9781802017175
This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices' research programme.

Published: 3 Dec 2021
Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard Programme Of Research: End Of Life
In 2017 Social Security Scotland set up Experience Panels to help in the design, delivery, oversight and review of Scotland's new social security system. As hard to reach and marginalised groups are less likely to be visible in the Experience Panels, we have set up a programme of research for ‘Seldom Heard Voices' to ensure these voices are included in the design of social security services.

There are four groups identified as ‘Seldom Heard' in this research. They are Mobile Populations, Vulnerable Groups, End of Life; and Carers and Care Experienced. For each group two waves of fieldwork are being undertaken. This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life.

Seldom heard groups faced some common barriers when engaging with the social security system such as: a lack of knowledge and awareness of the benefit system, difficulty finding information, complex application forms, unpleasant and stressful interactions with staff from DWP and Job Centre Plus.

Seldom heard groups also reported and suggested some common enablers, such as: the need for a variety of channels of communication, clear and streamlined information, the key role of third sector organisations to help them navigate the benefit system, and a plea for knowledgeable and empathetic benefit staff.

Read the report HERE
Pdf 35 pages