With dignity and respect at its core - participation in Fair Start Scotland  is voluntary meaning people can choose to take part without fear that it will affect existing benefits

Fair Start Scotland builds on the success of our transitional services Work Able Scotland and Work First Scotland.

Fair Start Scotland is delivered in nine contract areas across Scotland to reflect the reality of Scotland's geography, regional economies and population spread.

Fair Start Scotland is being delivered collaboratively across a range of private, public and third sector delivery partners including a range of specialist providers to ensure people receive the right type of support for them. Find details of the contract areas and providers here.

Fair Start Scotland:

• Has been developed by listening to the views of people who rely on employment support.
• Is funded by the Scottish Government, with Scottish Ministers committing £27 million to the service in 2021/22
• Is delivered in nine areas across Scotland, reflecting the reality of Scotland's geography, regional economies and population spread.
• Encourages Service Providers to commit to the Fair Work, Workforce and Community Benefits agendas (for example by promoting living wage employment, no use of zero hours contracts or umbrella companies and supporting the Scottish Business Pledge).
• Includes an offer of supported employment - an internationally recognised 'place and  train' model enabling disabled people to learn on the job with support from colleagues and a job coach.   

The Scottish Government regularly publishes information on Fair Start Scotland, Scotland's first fully devolved employment support service.

• 32,504 people joined Fair Start Scotland (FSS) between its launch in April 2018 and the end of March 2021.
• A total of 10,417 people joining have started a job.
• 71% of people starting jobs went on to sustain employment for 3 months, 78% of the people who sustained employment for 3 months went on to reach 6 months, and 76% of those who sustained employment for 6 months went on to reach at least 12 months.

The full publication can be found at the link below.

Scotland's Devolved Employment Services: statistical summary - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Scottish Government also publishes annual reports on how the service is delivering on its aims to treat people with dignity and respect and evaluating the how the support provided helps participants to achieve their potential.

The most recent Fair Start Scotland Annual Report, published on 9^th November 2020 provides an overview of progress throughout year two of the delivery.

The most recent Fair Start Scotland Evaluation Report, published on 9^th November 2020 details the research that supports the second year of delivery up to 31 March 2020, and includes findings from a telephone survey of over 1000 participants; local area case studies; feedback from the Scottish Government Social Security Experience Panel and analysis of management information on participants' outcomes.