Shelter Scotland’s groundbreaking report secures EMA flexibility

The Scottish Government will strengthen the guidance to local authorities around Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), on the back of the findings of a groundbreaking report from Shelter Scotland.

In March, the leading housing and homelessness charity published In Their Own Words: Children’s Experiences in Temporary Accommodation which shined a light on the harrowing challenges children and families in the Scottish homeless system are facing.

Researchers found that teenagers who were homeless faced having their EMA restricted as their school attendance was disrupted due to their housing situation. The report highlighted how children were missing school or were late for classes after they were placed in accommodation miles away.

EMA is a means-tested financial scheme available to students aged between 16 and 19 and those undertaking unpaid vocational or non-university academic learning in Scotland.

On 3 April, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey, confirmed that for students receiving EMA in 2025-26, there will be strengthened guidance on applying flexibility in attendance specifically for those who are experiencing homelessness.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson said:

“It is welcome news that EMA guidance will be strengthened to include flexibility, as we recommended in our report.

“Children living in temporary accommodation face regular upheaval and uncertainty. EMA can help support teenagers, offer them financial independence and the ability to continue their education.

“It was incredibly concerning to hear through our research that children experiencing homelessness risked losing out on this lifeline support through no fault of their own. We are pleased to see the Scottish Government take this decisive action to reduce the Temporary Accommodation Tariff that is hitting far too many families.

“However, this one change is not enough to support the 10,360 children trapped in often unsuitable temporary accommodation. We still have not heard any new commitments from the First Minister or Housing Minister to tackle the broken and biased housing system.

“We need radical and urgent change to get these children out of living in fear and into safe, secure forever homes. The way to do this is with more social homes.”