Sharon Graham is one of nine Financial Inclusion Support Officers (FISO) placed in Glasgow schools. FISOs are responsible for helping parents and carers claim social security benefits and school aged entitlements, offering debt and financial capability support and referring them to energy, digital inclusion and employability services.​ In Bellahouston Academy alone the project has brought financial gains of more than £400K to families in the area, much of which was benefits and entitlements which had previously gone unclaimed.

Where the FISO 

FISO was developed by the Calton Child Poverty Network and Glasgow City Council Education and Financial Inclusion teams with the aim of reducing child poverty levels in the city.

What makes FISO work for families?  ​ 

  • Clear standard financial information: FISO is underpinned by a Support for Families advice booklet which is sent to all families
  • Confidentiality:  parents and carers value confidentiality in their communication with FISO    
  • Convenience and flexibility: families are given Sharon’s mobile number and can call or message via text or Whatsapp at a time that suits them 
  • Expertise and joined up working: the FISO can be a central point of contact for different agencies which means better joined up working to support families 
  • Strong school partnerships with staff promoting it regularly to parents: Sharon attends Parents Evenings, information sessions and parent groups and the school promotes the service and advice booklet in a range of ways. 

Sharon says that hearing about the service regularly in school makes it more likely that parents will approach her:​

“Trust is a big thing and the more the school puts out about it the more it resonates. There might be a bit of scepticism about who you are, what you’re doing but parents do trust schools so if the service is being promoted by the school then they trust you.” 

FISO in Glasgow

A full evaluation of the FISO project in Glasgow has been completed, read it here.

FISO Glasgow evaluation