Scottish Government

Appendix 3: Service user profile information

1. Details and information about the characteristics of the 111 service users interviewed between May 2005 and January 2006 are provided here. A sample of service users was selected to capture the range and diversity in the pilot project target populations and ensure that the study could explore and explain different experiences and views of people who have accessed the money advice pilot projects. The sample is not therefore, representative of the general population.

2. Almost equal numbers of men (49 per cent) and women (51 per cent) were interviewed. All the interviewees in the prisoners' project were men and all interviewees in the lone parent project were women. The mix of interviewees using other projects varied but interviewees from the young persons' project were predominantly of one sex (11 women and 1 man). Approaching two thirds of interviewees were in a range between age 25 to 44 and 19 per cent were aged 16 to 24, half of them in the young persons' project. One of the interviewees was Asian and the remainder were white, mostly Scottish.

3. We asked interviewees about health and disability issues, specifically if they considered that they had a physical impairment, a long-term illness or health problem, a current or past mental health problem or a learning difficulty. Although 41 per cent said they had no health or impairment issues, 24 per cent identified one factor as relevant to them and more than a third identified two or more. Table A3.1 provides a summary of health and impairment issues identified. As in previous research amongst disadvantaged groups (Gillespie et al, 2005), we found that a substantial number of people had multiple health issues - 28 per cent identified one factor as relevant to them and almost a third identified two or more.

Table A3.1: Health and impairment issues for interviewees

Note: Respondents could provide more than 1 answer, so % adds to over 100%.

Table A3.2: Housing status

4. In terms of their household situation, the largest group of people lived alone (45 per cent). 26.1 per cent were lone parents and 20.7 per cent lived with a spouse or partner. Only 6 per cent lived with parents or other family. Male interviewees were more likely than female interviewees to live alone and accounted for all those who lived with parents or family, while female interviewees accounted for 90 per cent of the lone parents. Interviewees who had used the lone parent helpline accounted for half of the lone parents overall. Almost half the interviewees have care responsibilities (48 per cent), most caring for children, although 7 care for elderly or disabled people. Almost two thirds of interviewees were tenants, equal numbers having housing association or council tenancies.

5. Respondents were asked to provide details of their highest educational qualification. Just less than one third had no qualifications and 22 per cent had 'o' levels/standard grades. 28 per cent of respondents had a vocational qualification or HNC/ HND and 6 people had a university degree. In terms of economic status, details could not be obtained for 4 prisoners. Amongst the remainder, most described their situation within only one of the categories provided. Over one third of interviewees were not looking for paid work at present, but almost as many were in paid employment. Registration for work, being a student or being unable to work because of care responsibilities cover most of the remaining situations.

Table A3.3: Economic Status

6. In addition to those registering for work, three people said they were looking for work including one person who was sick, one who worked part-time and one student. Most of the remainder had worked in the past and less than 10 per cent (9 people) had never worked. Information on the economic status of spouses or partners was provided by 23 people and they included 8 who were working (7 full-time), 4 who were unemployed and 7 who were sick or disabled people.

7. Overall, two thirds of interviewees said they had more than one source of income. Wages (15 people) and income support/ income based JSA (12 people) were most often mentioned as the single source of income. The income sources of interviewees are shown in table A3.4. Other sources of income mentioned included occupational pensions and private pension mentioned by 4 and one of the interviewees respectively. Other incomes included carers allowance (3 people) and widows pension (2 people). Although there were 25 interviewees in employment, few were receiving working tax credit and child tax credits were more likely to be in payment to them.

Table A3.4: Sources of income

Note: Respondents could provide more than 1 answer, so % adds to over 100%.

8 Interviewees described the issues they wanted advice about and these are presented in table A3.5. Across the projects debts, and worried about rent and bills were the most common reasons for seeking advice. Some issues were raised more frequently by target groups. For example budgeting problems were most likely to be raised by service users from the learning difficulties project and relationship breakdown was a key issue for service users contacting the lone parent project.

9. Table A3.6 shows the outcomes of advice. Commonly a number of actions are taken by advisers when managing a case. Negotiating repayments has been the most common outcome for the sample interviewed. Service users from across the projects were given information about their rights however this was a core element of the lone parent helpline service and most of the service users who cited this as an outcome, had accessed this service.

Table A3.5: Issues raised

Note: Respondents could provide more than 1 answer, so % adds to over 100%.

Table A3.6: Outcomes of advice

Note: Respondents could provide more than 1 answer, so % adds to over 100%.