Fair Start Scotland
Fair Start Scotland was Scotland's first fully devolved employment support service commencing in April 2018 with the closing of new referrals to the service in March 2024. Fair Start Scotland was the first step towards the delivery of a tailored, person-centred employability support system in Scotland.
How does Fair Start Scotland continue to support individuals?
Fair Start Scotland was developed by listening to people with lived experience and those using employment support services. Fair Start Scotland continues to treat those receiving support with dignity and respect by providing flexible support, taking into account personal circumstances and removing barriers to accessing work. Fair Start Scotland helps to support people who struggle to find a job which meets their needs, participation is completely voluntary and choosing to take part doesn't affect people’s existing benefits.
Fair Start Scotland ceased taking new referrals in March 2024 however, the service continues to support those already referred.
Fair Start Scotland Supports individuals by:
- putting people first, working together to provide the right support for them;
- providing a dedicated adviser who listened, guided and helped participants achieve their goals;
- recognising and helping participants develop their skills and experience;
- helping people to find work that suits them
- providing up to 12 months pre work support along with a further period of in work support tailored to suit participants.
The Fair Start Scotland advisor:
- meets with the participant weekly
- works with the participants to identify and make the most of their skills
- finds opportunities to help the participant gain skills and experience
- helps to build the participants confidence
- helps to create/update the participants CV and prepare for interviews
- find jobs that meet participants needs
After participants find a job:
Their adviser will continue to keep in touch with them and their employer regularly:
- to identify any support they may need in their new role; and
- to make sure everything is going well and to answer any questions they may have
This means that there is someone to help if the participant has any problems or questions up to 12 months after they start working.
Who was eligible for Fair Start Scotland?
Groups eligible from Day 1 of unemployment included:
- Lone Parents
- Care experienced young people
- Person with a conviction
- Refugees
- Unemployed with a health condition that is a barrier to work
- Ethnic minorities
- Resident in 15% most deprived SIMD areas
- Anyone who has a health condition and is found to have a limited capability for work (LCW) or a limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) following a Work Capability Assessment
- Anyone who is Disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
If none of the above categories applied, people were also eligible as they reach 12 months unemployment.
To be able to take part in Fair Start Scotland, individuals had to be living in Scotland and be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.
Eligible individuals must not have been in paid work of any kind at point of referral, including permitted work.
How does Fair Start Scotland continue to support Employers?
Fair Start Scotland is a free service that works closely with employers to identify recruitment needs, tailoring pre-employment and in-work support that meets the needs of both employers and participants.
Fair Start Scotland helps employers by:
- Providing a single point of contact that takes the time to understand the business and recruitment needs providing support throughout the process.
- Delivering a free full recruitment service which included advertising, pre-screening, recommending applicants for interviews and co-ordinating interview schedules/inductions/training days.
- Highlighting any potential funding that they may be eligible for to support employees.
- Providing up to 12 months in-work support; offering a tailored package of support for the employer and their new employee; aiding with job retention.
- Providing the opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their social responsibility by showcasing commitment to a diverse workforce.
Related pages
No One Left Behind – Overview
No One Left Behind helps people of all ages to gain skills and build confidence. Click here to find out more.
Local Authority Employability Services
Find out key contact details, local services, case studies, employability related information and more.
No One Left Behind – Policy
Find out more about the policy background to No One Left Behind, including key documents and publications.