About the Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS)
The Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS) plays an essential role in the development and delivery of a Scottish Social Security system based on fairness, dignity and respect.
We provide independent scrutiny of the Scottish social security system and our full functions are set out in section 22 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.
We provide detailed analysis of proposed social security legislation and regulations which are referred to us by Ministers, making recommendations for improvement where necessary.
Our role is also to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s delivery of the commitments set out in the Social Security Charter.
We are separate from the Scottish Government, and we carry out our work independently of both Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.
We usually meet monthly and minutes from our meetings are published here.
SCoSS Members
Appointments to the role of SCoSS commissioner are made by Ministers at the end of a recruitment process which is advertised publicly and is open to all. There are currently four commissioners and board meetings are usually held once a month. Minutes from board meetings are available here.
Our Secretariat
The SCoSS board is supported by a secretariat team of Scottish Government staff who draft scrutiny reports, engage with wider stakeholders and provide support to the SCoSS Chair and board members during their engagements.