Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: final report

Final Thoughts

Many individuals and organisations with lived experience and detailed knowledge took part in the consultation, call for evidence and engagement events, sharing their views on how Adult Disability Payment could be delivered more effectively. I have done my very best to reflect their experiences and perspectives.

It is worth highlighting that many people gave positive feedback about Adult Disability Payment and Social Security Scotland, speaking highly of staff interactions, describing feeling respected during the application process and welcoming the lack of medical assessments. I heard the word ‘kindness’ on many occasions. I also witnessed first-hand the culture and values at the heart of the organisation, the willingness to listen to feedback and the genuine desire to improve the client experience.

Scotland’s social security system aspires to be human rights based, providing adequate support that helps to reduce poverty and ensure participation in society, in line with the principles set out by the Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security.^[343] I have kept these principles in the forefront of my mind throughout the whole process of Chairing this Independent Review, and hope I have done them justice.

I recognise that designing a system that captures the whole range of real-world activities, and the barriers and costs that come with them, could potentially result in an unwieldly process and one that becomes more rather than less, intrusive. There is a balance to be struck to achieve a system that is individualised and curious but not overly burdensome.

In an ideal world, decisions about eligibility for Adult Disability Payment would always be made on a human rights basis, rather than being led by cost considerations. However, I recognise the financial limitations facing the Scottish Government, and that these have grown significantly in recent years.

If implemented, some of the recommendations included in this report may have the effect of reducing delays and reducing the number of challenges to decisions which, in turn, is likely to reduce some of the costs associated with delivering Adult Disability Payment.

It is also worth noting that changes to the eligibility criteria may result in more people receiving Adult Disability Payment. However, some people would argue that disabled people who are currently being denied financial support by a system that doesn’t adequately capture their needs would, as a result of any changes, receive what they are entitled to.

Whatever follows this Review, I would encourage the continuation of the emphasis on client voice and the co-design of any permanent changes. A partnership with Adult Disability Payment clients, others likely to be affected by any changes and those who are currently excluded from the system, would be ideal. I would expect the Scottish Government to deploy a range of participatory methods, with a focus on the most effective ways to include those who face the biggest barriers and seldom heard voices.

If social security is indeed viewed as an investment in society by the Scottish Government, I hope Ministers will use the findings of the Review to design a truly world-leading, holistic and person-centred disability payment system, that is fair, equitable and supportive of disabled people’s needs now, and in the future.