Social Security Scotland research needs to know about languages and communication use

Social Security Scotland wants to improve its service for people.  To do so, researchers want to talk to people who use English as a second language. They also want to speak to people who use alternative forms of communication such as Braille, British Sign Language (BSL) or Easy Read.

Research aims 

They want to find out:  

• if you've heard about Social Security Scotland’s benefits 
• your experience when applying
• what you think about Social Security Scotland’s alternative communication services such as translations, BSL and Braille

This will help them find out what they're doing well and where they can do better. 

What’s involved 

Researchers might invite you to take part in a focus group.

 Focus groups:  

• are in person  
• last about 1 hour 30 minutes 
• have other participants
• are led by researchers

As a thank you for taking part, you will be given a £50 voucher.

Register online  

You can take part in this research if either:   

• English is a second language for you and you have used Social Security Scotland  
• you communicate using alternative forms such as Braille, BSL or Easy Read
• you represent a charity or non-profit organisation that works with either of the two groups mentioned   

To take part in the research, fill in the registration form below.

Register online

Other ways to register  

You can also call the research helpline free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.  

On the call you can either:  

• complete the registration form with the adviser 
• request a paper version of the form 
• ask for a language interpreter  

If you’re a BSL user, go to contactscotland-bsl.org  

If you use a text phone, use the prefix 18001 when you call us.  

Your adviser can help you more quickly if you tell them this reference: languages and communication FG.   

What happens next 

After you register, researchers might contact you to invite you to a focus group or interview. We may not be able to invite everyone because we have limited space. 

We’ll contact you to organise a time and location that suits you. We’ll also give you more information about what to expect on the day.  

Stop taking part 

You can stop taking part in the research at any time. To do so, call the research helpline free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.  

You do not need to explain why.  

Confidential answers  

 Your answers are confidential. This means no one will be able to work out who you are from any survey results we publish.   

Only people working in the research team will see your name and contact details. No one involved in making benefit decisions will have access to your answers or know if you have taken part.   

 Taking part will not affect any of your applications or benefits.  

Your data 

Any personal information you give will be held according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can find out more about this in our privacy notice.