Care Leaver Payment – Guidance for Practitioners

3. Chapter Three: The Scottish Social Security principles

Although the Care Leaver Payment is not a benefit (and so does not fall within the meaning of ‘Scottish social security system’ under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, This Chapter sets out the principles which apply to social security legislation. While the principles do not apply to the Regulations, these principles were considered during the creation of the Care Leaver Payment and should be borne in mind when they are delivering the payment.

The Scottish social security principles are:

(a) social security is an investment in the people of Scotland,

(b) social security is itself a human right and essential to the realisation of other human rights,

(c) the delivery of social security is a public service,

(d) respect for the dignity of individuals is to be at the heart of the Scottish social security system,

(e) the Scottish social security system is to contribute to reducing poverty in Scotland,

(f) the Scottish social security system is to be designed with the people of Scotland on the basis of evidence,

(g) opportunities are to be sought to continuously improve the Scottish social security system in ways which—

(i) put the needs of those who require assistance first, and

(ii) advance equality and non-discrimination,

(h) the Scottish social security system is to be efficient and deliver value for money.