Introduction
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory body, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is the UK Government’s advisory body on social security matters. In addition to providing advice and assistance to the Secretary of State on matters relating to social security, it performs mandatory scrutiny of most secondary legislation laid before Parliament that underpin the welfare system, ensuring that the legislative proposals deliver the government’s policy intent. Thus, much of the Department's policy and service delivery activity, including the welfare agenda, comes before the Committee.
In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation, the Committee has general advisory functions which are deployed to:
•inform the Committee’s work, improving members’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent advice to Ministers;
•add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders; and
•stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.
Ministers may seek the Committee’s views on specific issues or SSAC may itself select issues itself which it wishes to research and provide advice on. The Chair and Committee members meet regularly with Ministers and senior officials to discuss topical issues, and also engage with front-line staff and customers during their visits to operational sites
The Committee is independent of Government, the Department and sectional interests. It has a strong track record in offering informed, expert advice. Members come from a variety of backgrounds, but collectively they have a considerable depth of knowledge and expertise in social security policy, law and the wider social policy agenda.
It undertakes a similar statutory role for the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
Further information about the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/ssac
Introduction from Peter Schofield, DWP Permanent Secretary
I want DWP and our arm’s-length bodies to be places where everyone, whatever their background, feels encouraged to achieve their potential. I believe attracting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, including regional diversity and the full range of socio- economic groups, will allow us to be better able to provide the best possible support to those we serve.
DWP continues to support Cabinet Office in working towards 50% of all public appointees to be female and 14% of all public appointments to come from ethnic minority backgrounds. We value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone.
If you are looking for an opportunity to use your talents to make a difference to the lives of millions of your fellow citizens, we look forward to hearing from you.
Introduction from the Chair
Dr Stephen Brien SSAC Chair
This Committee’s ambition is to have influence and impact while, at the same time, preserving our independence from both Government and others. This ensures we can deliver our commitment to provide impartial, constructive advice which reflects a wide range of perspectives and is evidence based. Advice in which the Government and others – including Parliament - can have confidence.
As I enter my fifth year as the Committee’s Chair, I have been struck by the importance of having a diverse range of experience and background within the Committee’s membership. A real strength of Committee is that its members operate effectively and impartially as part of a diverse team, harnessing their respective skills and expertise, while respecting the views expressed by others around the table.
This is a rewarding role in a key area of Government policy. We are committed to providing sound advice that reflects the strength of expertise and experience on the Committee. If you would like to join us and help develop that advice – and can credibly demonstrate the required criteria set out below - read on!
If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact Qashaf Mahmood, DWP Public Appointments Campaign Manager, on alb.publicappointments@DWP.gov.uk
Alternatively, if you have questions about the role itself, please contact the Committee Secretary, Denise Whitehead, on 0300 046 0323 or Denise.Whitehead@SSAC.gov.uk.
You may also want to take a look at recent introductory blogs written by our most recently appointed members (in January 2024) which provide early their reflections on the role: Social Security Advisory Committee – News and updates from the Social Security Advisory Committee (blog.gov.uk)
Additional introductions
Baroness Sherlock OBE
Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions
The Social Security Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the Government delivers a high-quality social security system. These roles offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the Committee’s impartial, evidence-based and rigorous scrutiny of social security legislation—advice which helps to shape the views of Government, Parliament and the public.
As a member, you will play a key role in shaping the Committee's work. You will bring insights into the social security system’s impact on different groups and help ensure the Committee’s advice remains robust and credible-contributing your expertise to challenging and rewarding discussions in an experienced and high-quality team.
If you have the skills, experience, and passion to contribute to this important work, I will warmly encourage you to apply.
Appointment description
Members are expected to continuously:
•Maintain and continuously develop an understanding of complex social security and welfare reform issues, taking into account Government policies, the financing of the welfare system and the broader economic social context.
•Fully prepare for all meetings by reading papers in advance and carrying out any other necessary preparatory work;
•Attend Committee meetings and make an effective personal contribution;
•Work constructively and collaboratively with the Chair, members of the Committee and secretariat on all aspects of the Committee’s work; including its independent work programme and broader activities; and
•Represent the Committee at external events on occasion.
Meetings
SSAC meets ten times every year, although may change dependent on business need. These meetings currently alternate between online meetings and face-to-face meetings where members are expected to attend in person at Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA. Members also have an opportunity to visit other locations, for example visits to operational sites.
Organisation description
The Chair and Members of SSAC are appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. These posts are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
By statute, SSAC must comprise a minimum of 10 members, of whom:
•one member is selected after consultation with representatives of employers.
•one member is selected after consultation with representatives of employees.
•one member is selected after consultation with the Head of the Northern Ireland Department with responsibility for social security; and
•one member with experience of chronically sick and disabled people. If possible, this member should have direct experience of illness or disability.
All members are involved across the full range of the Committee's business.
Those Members that have active roles with other organisations are encouraged to use the experience, insight and expertise gained in those roles, but without representing sectional interests.
The Committee's work consists largely of considering detailed and often complex proposals for social security regulations and producing ad hoc reports on specific areas of interest. Proposals for changes to regulations, and supporting paperwork, will be made available to members in advance of meetings.
Members are expected to keep abreast of operational matters and to make occasional visits to operational units.
Members occasionally have access to restricted proposals and/or supporting evidence. They are expected to consider them in confidence. Members are expected to refer any requests for information or interview by external stakeholders and/or the media to the Secretary or the Chair.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website Essential criteria
There are four posts available:
1. Representative of Workers (one post)
2. Scotland post (one post)
3. Generalist (two posts)
Candidates must demonstrate the following skills and experience:
•knowledge, understanding and experience of working with governments and political stakeholders;
•awareness of the political and financial context in which the social security system operates and of the Committee’s role in advising Government;
•understanding of the impact of social security regulations and implementation on a diverse range of different groups of claimants;
•the ability to work effectively as part of a team, and to operate constructively and collaboratively with a diverse range of colleagues; and
•an ability to understand and analyse the details of proposals and evaluate and advise objectively on the basis of that analysis.
In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate one or more of the following areas of experience:
Workers Role
•Strong understanding of the benefit system’s impact on various workers, including low-paid, self-employed, and those with fluctuating or flexible contracts. Candidates must be able to represent these perspectives effectively, either through an existing network or the ability to build and maintain one
Scotland Role
•Current and detailed insight of issues relating to the benefits system in Scotland - including those aspects that have been devolved to the Scottish Government - and able to represent credibly a wide range of communities and stakeholders in Scotland.
Generalist Role
For these posts, candidates will be expected to demonstrate one of the following:
•Extensive knowledge of social security legislation and its implementation, with current insights into the UK benefits system and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to policy changes.
•Ability to credibly understand and represent the impact of social security policy on a range of stakeholders, including claimants, operational delivery teams, employers, workers, and those affected by health and employment support interactions.
