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NFF News

We want to hear from you if you work for the NHS and you’re a spouse/partner of someone currently serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines or if you are a Veteran who has recently left the Service and moved into a role within the NHS. We are working with NHS Employers on a project to support and promote employment opportunities for spouses/partners and Service Leavers and we would like to share your story with others.

 

The NHS Step into Health programme connects the NHS to people from the Armed Forces community, by offering an access route into employment and career development opportunities. The NHS recognises the transferable skills and cultural values that members of the Armed Forces community have, and how they are compatible with those required within NHS roles, and are keen to promote the job opportunities that are open to you, especially in non-clinical roles that you may not have considered before.

 

As part of this programme, they are looking to engage with members of staff who have already made the move into the NHS to share their experiences and tips with others. If you are interested in sharing your story, please email jenny.ward@nff.org.uk for more information.

 

Posted on: 4th December, 2018
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Announcements, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

 

**** Update: It has now been extended for a further three years – until the end of 2022. Please visit this page for more information. ****

 

A government scheme to help military families buy their own homes has been extended until the end of 2019.

 

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced yesterday (3rd December 2018) that the Forces Help to Buy initiative will remain open to new applications until 31st December 2019.

 

The scheme, established in April 2014, aims to address the low rate of home ownership in the Armed Forces by making it easier to take the first step onto the housing ladder, move to another property on assignment or make alterations to an existing home as family needs change.

 

Serving personnel who meet the criteria can borrow up to half of their annual salary, interest free – up to a maximum of £25,000 – to pay towards a deposit and other costs such as solicitor’s or estate agent’s fees.

 

More than 16,000 applicants have benefited from the scheme so far.

 

Following the announcement of this extension, Mr Williamson said:

“Everyone dreams of owning their own home, and this hugely popular scheme has already helped thousands of Service personnel realise that dream.

“By extending the scheme by a further year I really hope we can help many more first-time buyers, families and married couples get a foot on the property ladder.’’

 

Anna Wright, CEO of the Naval Families Federation, said:

“We were absolutely delighted to hear about the extension to this popular scheme.

“Our research shows that there is a strong aspiration to be a home owner amongst Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families. Having this option offers families more choice about where they live. They may choose to be close to a spouse’s employment or to particular schools.”

 

If you would like to know more about this scheme and your eligibility, please visit this link here. To read more about the Future Accommodation Model (FAM), which is the MOD’s housing pilot for serving personnel, visit here.

 

The Naval Families Federation welcomes your views on FHtB and FAM. Please do contact us.

 

Posted on: 4th December 2018
Updated on: 22nd October, 2019
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Employment

The Armed Forces Flexible Working Bill became law on 8th February 2018. This law, which came into effect for Regular Naval Service personnel from 1st April 2019, may assist some personnel to balance work and family life.

 

The MOD has recognised the need for flexibility in the Services and will introduce this measure to adapt to society’s expectations, and to help increase work incentive within the forces.

 

Implementation

This policy allows Regular members of the Armed Forces to seek:

  • Part time working (reducing work routines);
  • Restricted separation from home for no more than 35 days a year;
  • Both (within the same assignment order).

 

Restrictions

Applications are limited in length to no more than 3 years continuously and no more than 4 years total in a 12 year rolling period. Applications are not guaranteed and operational capability will come first.

 

Further Information
  • Front cover of MOD 'Flexible Working and You' digital guide

    ‘Flexible Working and You’, a digital guide produced by the MOD for Service personnel.

    Read a short introductory article on FS in Homeport Winter ’18 (p.37)

  • Read a short summary of its terms and conditions in Homeport Spring ’19 (p.27)
  • Click here to watch an explanatory video produced by the MOD, and contact information should you have any questions.
  • MOD has produced a ‘Discover My Benefits’ tool which allows you to explore the support available to you and your family.
  • JSP 750 (Chapter 2) is also available via DII only for more information
  • ‘Flexible Working and You’ is a digital booklet produced by the MOD to provide Service personnel further information on the subject.

 

The Naval Families Federation welcomes your comments and views on this new policy. Please do contact us.

 

Posted on: 30th November, 2018
Updated on: 28th January, 2021
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Announcements, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

The 2018 Covenant Annual Report was published today (21st November, 2018). The NFF was delighted to have the opportunity again this year to set out our Formal Observations on the report.

 

Anna Wright, CEO Naval Families Federation, said:

“The 2018 Covenant Annual Report has been published today and once again, the Naval Families Federation has provided our Formal Observations on the content, in conjunction with our colleagues in the Army and RAF Families Federations; these can be found from page 17. We can only do this because of the issues and concerns that you raise with us – by taking the time to share your experiences, you have given us the evidence we need to inform and influence current, and future, policies which will directly impact upon our Naval Service families, so a heartfelt thank you. We were delighted to see that the MOD also included a piece about our work with the Pompey’s Military Kids Cluster Group – this scheme is going from strength to strength and we would love to see it expanding even further next year.

 

“In his Introduction to the Report, Rt. Hon. Tobias Ellwood MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, stated that: ‘To provide effective support, we need to recognise the contribution that spouses, partners and children of Service Personnel make, and reflect this in policy making, so that a stable family life supports our Service Personnel to thrive.’

 

“We couldn’t agree more and look forward to working with him and his team in 2019 to achieve this.”

 

We would encourage you to read through the Report to learn more about the work being undertaken to support you and your family. If you have any comments on the Report, or would like to raise a concern which you believe falls within the remit of the Armed Forces Covenant, please get in touch with us via our website.

 

Posted on: 21st November, 2018
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Wellbeing, Communications, Useful Links

The following is a brief overview of the Armed Forces Covenant. For more details about the changes that have already been implemented as a result of the Covenant, and how this can have an impact on you and your family, please visit the Armed Forces Covenant website for further information.

 

You can also watch a short video about the Covenant here, which has been put together by the RN Two-Six team.

 

What is the Armed Forces Covenant?

To those who proudly protect our nation, who do so with honour, courage, and commitment, the Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to you.

It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

It’s about making sure that you are not disadvantaged as a result of your service or your connection to the Armed Forces – giving you a ‘level playing field’.

 

The Covenant in the Community

The Covenant in the Community is a voluntary pledge of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces community. Local authorities and the Armed Forces in your area are working together in order to:

 

  • Encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces community in their areas, and to increase understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces;
  • Recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the Armed Forces community;
  • Encourage activities that help to integrate the Armed Forces community into local life;
  • Encourage the Armed Forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement.

 

Covenants in the Community may look quite different from one location to another; the nature of the support offered will be determined by need and capacity. The delivery of the Covenant is usually managed locally by an Armed Forces Covenant lead officer working within the local authority, in conjunction with a partnership board. Visit your local authority website for more details and contact information.

 

The Covenant in Business

This involves businesses and charitable organisations making a written and publicised voluntary pledge which expresses their support to the Armed Forces community, and demonstrates how they have committed to ways in which they can provide support.

 

These Covenants include a core statement of commitment, which covers the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant:

 

  • No member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
  • In some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.

 

Each organisation is also encouraged to offer support in a way most appropriate to their situation. The pledge document includes a menu of options for organisations to sign up to, including; employment support for Veterans, Reservists, Service spouses and partners, support for Cadet Units, participation in Armed Forces Day, and offering discounts to the community. There is also an opportunity for organisations to add their own commitments based on local circumstances.

 

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS)  acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and defence by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges.

Through a 3 tier approach of bronze, silver and gold awards, the scheme recognises the different levels of commitment provided by employers. This allows the Ministry of Defence to publicly thank and honour those organisations for their support.

 

You can nominate yourself for a bronze award. Silver and gold awards are bestowed to organisations meeting specific criteria.

 

The Covenant in Government

The Armed Forces Covenant is a cross-Government commitment which involves many central government departments, such as the Departments for Work and Pensions, Health and Social Care and Education, as well as the NHS.

Many topics covered are devolved matters i.e. education, and therefore the Devolved Governments of Wales and Scotland, and the Northern Ireland Executive, are responsible for their delivery.

 

Wales
The Welsh Government contributes to the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report. It has appointed an Armed Forces Advocate to represent Wales on the Covenant Reference Group, and has established an Expert Group to consider the needs of the Armed Forces community in Wales. The NFF is part of this Expert Group. Click here for further information.

 

Scotland
In 2012, the Scottish Government published ‘Our Commitments: Scottish Government Support for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland’. This document illustrated how the Scottish Government was addressing the needs of its Armed Forces community. They then revisited their Commitments in 2016, with the publication of their ‘Renewing our Commitments‘ document. Furthermore, in response to the reports issued by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, the Scottish Government then issued guidance which outlines the support that is being offered to the Armed Forces Community – click here to read this document.

The Scottish Government contributes to the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report, and has appointed an Armed Forces and Veterans Advocate to represent Scotland on the Covenant Reference Group.

 

Northern Ireland
In July 2013, the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee produced a report that stated that the UK Government must identify any shortfalls in the provision of services to the Armed Forces Community in Northern Ireland, and report on how these will be met. The Committee called for closer engagement between the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive on support for the Armed Forces Community. Click here for details.

 

Full details about all aspects of the Armed Forces Covenant can be found on the MOD website here.

 

Armed Forces Covenant Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust run a programme which makes grants of up to £20,000 for local projects that support the Armed Forces Community.

Further information on the priorities, eligibility and application process can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website. If you have any questions which are not covered by the guidance, you can contact the team at enquiries@covenantfund.org.uk

 

Posted on: 20th November, 2018
Updated: 18th March, 2019
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Uncategorized

X-Forces has set up a scheme to help Service Leavers, Reservists, and Spouses/ Partners to start their own business.

 

This scheme offers low interest start-up loans to individuals over 18 who have a viable business idea but no access to traditional finance.

 

Successful candidates will receive a 12-month free monitoring service, free training events and more.

 

Please see this page for more information and to apply for your Start Up Loan.

 

Posted on: 16th November, 2018
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NFF News

*Update*: We are pleased that a tri-Families Federation research has helped to inform a new Holistic Transition Policy, announced by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on 1st November, 2019. Read more about this here.

 

The government have today released The Strategy for our Veterans, which sets out how they will seek to fulfill their vision “to see those who have served in the UK Armed Forces, and their families, transition smoothly back into civilian life and contribute fully to a society that understands and values what they have done and what they have to offer.”

 

The strategy calls for greater collaboration and coordination between organisations and charities that support veterans and their families. It identifies six key themes: community and relationships; employment skills and education, finance and debt, health and wellbeing; making a home in civilian society; veterans and the law.

 

Importantly for our families, it also stated that the MOD is introducing a new Defence Holistic transition policy, which will contain life skills material which will be made available to Service Personnel and their families throughout their time in the Armed Forces to help better prepare them for civilian life. It has also been announced that there will be a new Defence Transition Service to support those families with more complex transition needs.

 

This is the first time that families are being recognised as integral to the transition process when their Service person leaves the Armed Forces. It will provide more support and information in areas such as housing, finance, health and wellbeing. It also recognises the complex and nuanced needs of Foreign and Commonwealth families who chose to stay in the UK after they leave the Armed Forces and will provide tailored information to support them in the process of applying for and financing the cost of visas and other housing needs.

 

We look forward to working closely with the Royal Navy to see how this new Veterans Strategy and Defence Holistic Transition Policy will be implemented and how this will benefit our families.

 

Posted on: 14th November, 2018
Updated on: 20th January, 2020
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Wellbeing

Support for Care Leavers

Young people who have been in care at any point in their childhood are more likely to face additional challenges in securing suitable employment and establishing an independent life for themselves than their peers. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed the Care Leaver Covenant, which commits it to a number of actions, including developing protocols for young people joining the Armed Forces.

 

Click here to access a guidance published by the MOD for carer leavers serving in the Armed Forces. You can also find out more about support for Care Leavers from the Care Leavers’ Association.

 

Support for Estranged Adults

Not all adults have a close or supportive family support network. Family estrangement can involve stigma and social isolation. This may be especially keenly felt when combined with some of the challenges faced by Armed Forces people and their loved ones. You can find out more about family estrangement, and get support, from Stand Alone.

 

Posted on: 14th November, 2018
Updated on: 20th August, 2021
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Finance, NFF News, Survey Publications

In preparation for presenting evidence to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) 2018, the Naval Families Federation (NFF) carried out a short online survey on pay. The survey was open for 4 weeks between early September and early October 2018. The survey was identical to that carried out in 2017, to allow comparison of the results.

 

Your Voice Heard

This year the response rate was lower than last year, with only 178 responses compared to 440 responses in 2017. A few factors may be relevant to the decline in response rate, e.g. this survey was carried out directly after the NFF’s major 2018 survey, which had a large response rate.

 

In 2017, 26% of respondents felt satisfied with their financial situation always or a lot of the time, compared to only 18% in 2018.

 

92 of you chose to provide us with invaluable free text feedback. Some of the most common topics are (in no particular order): the 2018 pay award, pensions, difficulties meeting living costs, the affordability of housing.

 

Over the past year, the proportion of spouses/partners increasing working hours or changing jobs to boost the household income has increased by 5%; there has been an increase of 12% in cutting back on holidays and leisure activities.

 

To read the results in full, please click here.

 

Posted on: 12th November, 2018
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NFF News, Mental Health

HALO survey

The Helping Armed Forces Loved Ones Survey (the ‘HALO’ survey) aims to better understand the needs and experiences of people who are worried about the mental health of a loved one who services or has served in the Armed Forces.

 

The second wave of the study is now underway. This part of the study focuses on mood swings.

 

If this sounds like something that may be relevant to you, please take 10 minutes or so to complete the confidential online survey. Upon completion, you can opt in to enter into a prize draw to win one of 5 Amazon gift vouchers (worth up to £50). The survey is here.

 

 

Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds

The HALO survey is part of a bigger HALO study that gives you the option to seek support directly from Help for Heroes ‘Hidden Wounds’ programmes. ‘Hidden Wounds’ can help if you are worried about the mental health of a family member, partner or loved one serving in the Armed Forces. It can help you, too, if you are worried about the effect of their mental health on your own wellbeing. To find out more visit the website and use the contact form or email.

 

HALO social media

Facebook

Twitter

 

Posted on: 5th November, 2018
Updated on: 30th January, 2019
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