Best Start Grant Reference Group
Overview
The Best Start Grant Reference Group was set up in October 2016 to support Scottish Ministers to develop policy for the Best Start Grant (BSG), which was fully rolled out in summer 2019. The Best Start Grant Reference Group was stood down on 25 May 2021.
The group:
- helped inform the evidence base to support policy decisions
- supported and assessed the development of options and processes for the BSG
- represented the views and interests of people with 'lived experience' of the benefits system
- helped facilitate co-production of certain aspects of the BSG with people who will be eligible or in receipt of the benefit
- supported communication around the BSG
- helped inform advice to Scottish Ministers
The group met every three to four months.
Members
- Anne Baldock – One Parent Families Scotland
- Clare Simpson – Children In Scotland
- Eilidh Dickson – Engender
- Evelyn Fraser – Scottish Women's Convention
- Fiona McHardy – Poverty Alliance
- Claire Telfer – Save the Children
- Jackie Gibson – Head of Service/ Lead Nurse, Children, Young People and Families Services, Dundee Health
- Jackie Tolland – Parent Network Scotland
- Jane Brumpton – Early Years Scotland
- Kenny Mackie – South Lanarkshire Council
- Kerry McKenzie – NHS Scotland
- Paul Sullivan – Centre of Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS)
- Mark Willis – Child Poverty Action Group
- Robert McGregor – COSLA
- Marsha Scott – Scottish Women’s Aid
- Roslyn Brag – Maternity Action
- Tony Scally – Action for Children
- Debbie Horne – Citizens Advice Scotland
Documents
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: November 2018
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: July 2018
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: January 2018
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: September 2017
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: May 2017
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: February 2017
- Best Start Grant Reference Group minutes: October 2016