B2 – Decision Support Team Lead Social Security Scotland

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join the Decision Support Team providing critical support to operational staff involved in decision making. This is a unique role that offers the chance to work collaboratively across Social Security Scotland and the Scottish Government supporting complex and sensitive decisionmaking activity.

Successful candidates will contribute to delivering a highquality service by providing expert comprehensive Policy and Legal advice to operational colleagues supporting decision making across Low Income Benefits and Disability Benefits. The role also involves maintaining Disability Benefits Decision Making Guidance ensuring it remains accurate clear and up to date.

We are looking for someone who thrives in a varied role has strong attention to detail and enjoys problem solving. As part of the Decision Support Team you will play a crucial role in supporting colleagues while upholding the organisations ethos that staff and clients are treated with dignity fairness and respect in all interactions.

Client Services Delivery is the main operational delivery division within Social Security Scotland. Our teams deliver a wide range of benefits and services to those most in need across Scotland.

This includes people on low incomes disabled people carers young people entering the workplace and to help people heat their this role you will be joining the Operational Delivery Profession a recognised Civil Service profession and the largest profession within Social Security Scotland. As a clientfacing organisation delivering benefits to the people of Scotland membership of the profession recognises the important role you will undertake.

Responsibilities
The main duties include but are not limited to:

• Liaise with Scottish Government Policy and Legal Directorates to seek specialist advice where required and provide written and verbal feedback to colleagues in support of the decision making process.
• Work with colleagues to continuously review maintain and improve Decision Making Guidance by developing and delivering solutions to issues identified by guidance users to improve the quality and consistency of decision making across a range of low income and disability benefits.
• Identify the Big Picture impacts of particular decisions and ensure they are communicated to the right people at the right time.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills including the ability to manage competing priorities.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called Success Profiles which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Technical / Professional Skills:
You will demonstrate the following skills within the Core ODP Skills - Operational Delivery Profession.

• Data and Insight Level Working
  

Experience:
Experience of understanding Policy and applying this in an operational environment with knowledge of Social Security Scotland benefits.


Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions - Level 3

• Communicating and Influencing - Level 3

• Seeing the Bigger Picture- Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

How to Apply
Apply online you must provide a CV and a Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment this will consist of an interview and a written analysis exercise.

Should a large number of applications be received an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on the Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Expected Timeline (Subject to change)
Sift w/c 18th May 2026
Interview w/c 1st June 2026

Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in our Glasgow office. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location which will be 220 High Street Glasgow.If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for please contact us.

Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process please contact us at .

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further Information
This role is only available to existing permanent civil servants who have successfully completed their probation period within Social Security Scotland or the broader Scottish Government.

Find out more about our organisation what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form please contact the Resourcing Team via .

Apply before Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 23:55

Contact Name - Resourcing Team
Contact e-Mail -