Staff numbers and vacancies

Request headcount and unfilled posts by department.

Staffing levels directly affect the services a public body can deliver. Knowing where vacancies are concentrated shows where services may be under pressure.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information as at [DATE]: 1. The number of staff in post (full-time equivalent) by department or directorate. 2. The number of funded but vacant posts by department or directorate. 3. For each department, how many vacancies have been open for longer than six months. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority. You can find the right authority in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • Ask for full-time equivalent (FTE) figures rather than headcount for a more accurate picture of staffing capacity.
  • Specifying a single date gives a clear snapshot and makes the request straightforward to answer.
  • Long-term vacancies (over six months) suggest posts that are hard to fill, not just normal turnover. These are worth paying attention to.