The Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. This commitment is made in recognition of the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country. The Armed Forces Covenant is not designed to give the Armed Forces, Veterans and their families’ preferential treatment compared with other citizens but it should ensure that they get a fair deal and are not disadvantaged because of their Service.

South Derbyshire District Council along with the other Derbyshire Councils signed The Armed Forces Covenant at an event at Derbyshire County Council on 7th March 2019.

Who do we mean by the Armed Forces Community?

All serving personnel (regulars and reserves), veterans and their families are considered to be the

Armed Forces Community. Children of Armed Forces personnel – no matter the marital status of their parents – should always be considered part of the community while still dependent.

The Armed Forces Covenant applies to all elements of the Service community, whether they are based in the UK or overseas. Service families should not expect to face a disadvantage from the requirement to serve overseas. Local Authorities have a part to play in addressing the effects of domestic upheaval, whether constraints are felt in gaining fair access to housing, schooling, employment or healthcare.

Why do we need an Armed Forces Covenant?

Life in the Armed Forces is different to the rest of society. Whilst a military career is challenging and rewarding, Armed Forces personnel make sacrifices in order to serve.

They go where they are sent, when they are sent. As long as we need to defend our nation and its interests in an uncertain and dangerous world, we will need Armed Forces that are ready and willing to serve when called. So families will have to move, sometimes with little notice, to unfamiliar areas. Or they may have to live apart for extended periods of time and cope with the issues that this can bring. They will face the stresses and strains that arise when their loved one is deployed on operational commitments. All of this means that they can find themselves at a disadvantage in comparison with their civilian neighbours in accessing the goods and services that as citizens we should all expect.

Our Commitment

By signing the Covenant South Derbyshire District Council has made certain commitments. These include:

Appoint an Armed Forces Champions & Lead Officer. The Council has appointed a Forces Champion in Councillor Neil Atkin and a Lead Officer; the Community Partnership Officer.

Force Champion – Cllr Neil Atkin; neil.atkin@southderbyshire.gov.uk

Lead Officer –   Sally Hemsley; sally.hemsley@southderbyshire.gov.uk

South Derbyshire District Council is committed to supporting our armed forces, veterans and their families. Working with the Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Group, it is developing the provision and promotion of local services for the District’s Armed Forces Community.

To do this we need the Armed Forces Community to tell us its particular service needs and how best it can be contacted.

Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board: This group will meet quarterly to discuss the Covenant and the associated action plan. The Armed forces Champion and Lead Officer for South Derbyshire will regularly attend the Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board.

Action Plans: The Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Group will produce and publish an Action Plan to underpin the commitment of the local authorities signed up to the Covenant; this will help to set out the overall direction and to ensure that the Local Authority’s keep on track.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund- South Derbyshire will promote the Armed Forces Covenant Fund. A National grant scheme of £10 million is open to organisations, groups and individuals who can demonstrate that their proposal will strengthen the aims of the Covenant.

For details of open funding programmes and to apply for a grant visit  Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

Communications- The commitments made in the Covenant will be publicised so that local communities are aware of what is being done to deliver them. This will be achieved through this dedicated web-page. Local Authority staff who deal with members of the public will be trained so that they are aware of how specific commitments impact upon local services and delivery.

Housing – The Council’s Housing Officers will maintain a strong relationship with the Armed Forces community to ensure timely and accurate information is given and received regarding movement of Service personnel and their housing needs and aspirations.

South Derbyshire District Council is mindful of the particular issues faced by Service personnel and their families. It will commit to solving the most challenging of circumstances where a service family or household is settling in our region from another part of the UK or where the housing need is the result of separation or divorce within a Service family.

Armed Forces Personnel working for the Council – The Council will support its employees who are members of the Reserve Forces: recognising the need to be flexible with regard to leave for annual Reserve Forces training; supporting any mobilisations and deployment.

The Council will support employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations, recognising the need to be flexible with regard to leave for annual training camps and courses. The Council will also support local military cadet units.

Support for Veterans from non-council organisations

Veterans ID Card - An ID card for armed forces veterans, which will helps them access specialist support and services, is available to be issued to service leavers.

The ID card was launched in February 2019 and any personnel who have left the military since December 2018 will automatically be given one of the ID cards, which will allow them to maintain a tangible link to their career in the forces.

The cards allow veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities, helping them to access support and services where needed.

All other veterans will be able to apply in due course for an ID card to mark their time in the armed forces.

For further information visit:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-veterans-id-cards-rolled-out-to-service-leavers

LifeWorks offer four to five-day courses tailored specifically towards helping ex-Forces personnel secure the future they want. They are available to anybody who has served in the British Armed Forces and can help them discover new opportunities, develop their employment skills and build their confidence. For more information, visit Veterans Career Advice and Employment support | Lifeworks (wearelifeworks.org.uk)

Veterans Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans who are seeking support. Veterans Gateway put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more. https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/

Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the MoD's official provider of resettlement services to those leaving the Armed Forces and helps thousands of Service leavers successfully transition from the military to civilian life each year. For more information visit Resettlement for Ex-Service Personnel | Ex Armed Forces Recruitment from CTP.