Elected Councillor Armed Forces Champion Training Delivered by

Elected Councillor Armed Forces Champion Training Delivered by Canon Peter Bruinvels PETER BRUINVELS ASSOCIATES

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! • How and why you were appointed? • Do you have any links / an interest in the Military? • Are you aware that the Military view your role as a Public Appointment and as an Ambassador? • Have you seen the Armed Forces Elected Councillor Job Description? • Do you know your Armed Forces Covenant Officer?

Welcome, aims and objectives • • • The Armed Forces Covenant The Armed Forces Community and key issues Your role as an Armed Forces Champion Working with Covenant Officers / Service Champions How to work with your Task Force Commander/local Brigade Engagement Officer Understanding Service Charities Your experiences as an Armed Forces Champion Top Tips Additional training available Questions and Answers

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly. “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” “Parity not priority”

What is being done? The Covenant focusses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including: Education and family well-being Home owning Employment advice Access to Healthcare Financial assistance Discount schemes

Who is involved? The Covenant supports serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families. Central Government Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force 3, 500+ Businesses of all sizes Local Government Service Charities Communities Cadet forces and their adult volunteers www. armedforcescovenant. gov. uk

Covenant has helped with Car insurance Mortgages – Buy to Let Mobile phone/broadband contracts Armed Forces Railcard and Oyster Veterans Card • Creates employment opportunities – transferrable skills • Employment opportunities for Spouses – Forces Family jobs portal – Sept 2019 • •

Who are the Armed Forces Community?

Armed Forces Tri-Service on Parade at a PME Event

Defend the UK and its overseas territories Provide strategic intelligence Provide nuclear deterrence Support civil emergency organisations in times of crisis Defend our interests by projecting power strategically and through expeditionary interventions • Provide a defence contribution to UK influence • Provide security for stabilisation • • •

The Royal Navy is made up of a fleet of 77 commissioned ships. The Royal Marines is part of the Navy and provides a highly specialised amphibious light infantry force.

The British Army is the UK's principal land warfare branch who are actively engaged in operational duties across the globe. The work they do ranges from peacekeeping to providing humanitarian aid, from enforcing anti-terrorism measures to helping combat the international drugs trade.

The RAF is the UK’s aerial, peacekeeping and fighting force. Cpl Oldfield RAF Crown Copyright

Values and Standards The Service’s values and Standards demand a degree of commitment and self-sacrifice which goes beyond that normally expected from other citizens. Courage Discipline Respect for others Integrity Loyalty Commitment Responsibility Teamwork

Armed Forces Personnel Restructure 2010 2015 2020 38, 000 2, 930 29, 710 2, 190 30, 600 3, 100 Regular 104, 000 2010 82, 000 2015 82, 000 2020 2015 2020 42, 500 31, 250 31, 750 1, 500 1, 740 1, 860 22, 000 30, 000 Reserve 19, 000

Headquarters North West History Carlisle Cumbria • Late 19 th Century – 11 th (Lancashire) Bde • The Haldane Reforms in 1907 created the Territorial Army and the 42 nd (East Lancashire) Division. • 1914 - the 42 nd (East Lancashire) Division was the first TA Div to leave the UK and sailed to Egypt. It fought in Egypt, the Dardanelles, France and Belgium throughout The Great War. • 1939 - the 42 nd (East Lancashire) Division formed part of the British Expeditionary Force. • 1947 - 42 nd (Lancashire) Division formed tasked with Home Defence. • 1967 – HQ NW District. • 1985 – 42 nd Infantry Bde. • 1992 – 42 nd (North West) Brigade. Lake District Barrow Isle of Man Lancaster Lancashire Blackpool Preston Bolton Merseyside Manchester Greater • Manchester Liverpool Chester Cheshire • 2015 – 42 nd Infantry Brigade & HQ North West. 2017 – HQ North West

Headquarters North West Footprint § 300, 000+ Veterans § 2, 000 Regulars CUMBRIA § 3, 600 Army Reserves § 500 University Officer LANCASHIRE Cadets Preston Weeton MERSEYSIDE GREATER MANCHESTER Chester CHESHIRE § 7, 000 Cadets

Military Presence In Cumbria Regular Reserve

AFC Veteran Population Cumbria AFPS War Disablement Pension Allerdale 429 200 Barrow-in-Furness 433 158 Carlisle 720 230 Copeland 324 133 Eden 267 86 South Lakeland 518 187 Local Authority Armed Forces Pension and Compensation (AFPS) Recipients

How Service Life is Different • Mobile – frequent deployments home and abroad resulting in disruption to family life • Structured Life and clear command structure • Welfare Support • Free health care – medical and dental • Fitness - free access to fitness and sports • Accommodation issues (not the Navy) • Good pay • Work-live-socialise with work colleagues • Trustworthy and loyal

Leaving the Services ‘Transition’ • Resettlement Policy for service leavers – Career Transition Partnership (CTP) • Support provided from beginning to end of service • Not used to accessing public services! • Individual planning and personal development: − through Careers advice − Employment, Education, Housing, Health and Welfare − Enhanced Learning Credits – professional qualifications following apprenticeships − personal and professional development

Facts about a Service Person’s Future • 29 years – average of service leaver (Army) • 1% - serve a full 22 year career • A Service person will probably work in civilian employment for longer than their Service careers • Resettlement support is based on length of service • The public respects the Service’s achievements but is largely uninformed of their qualities and capabilities

Life after Service Leaving the Services is unlike simply changing jobs; it is a wholesale life change in which the Service leaver discards more than just employment. They also relinquish their accommodation and the camaraderie of Services life. They undergo a radical change in lifestyle. They enter civilian life having to discard the familiar trappings of the Services including the relationship between different ranks and the discipline of an organised and relatively institutionalised existence.

Civilian-Military Partnership Boards • Provide a strategic link within partners • Give strategic direction to strengthen links • Champion the Armed Forces and honour their commitment • Acknowledge and promote the role of Reservist • Encourage recognition and remembrance • Work collaboratively with the task groups • Review the work of the Armed Forces Covenant

Mo. D’s Employer Recognition Scheme Award Chris Thomas Regional Employment Engagement Director North West RFCA

Cumbria Armed Forces Covenant Partnership • The Public, Private and Voluntary Sectors in Cumbria, the Civilian Population of Cumbria – signed in September 2013 – 22 Organisations • Guaranteed interview scheme for veterans • Cumbria County Council – Silver Employers Recognition Scheme Award, received 2016

What is a Task Force Commander? Commanding Officer of a local Regiment Accountable to Brigadier - HQNW Linked to between 1 and 5 local authorities Liaises with and meets AFC regularly Helps you plan and co-ordinate local activity Supports business engagement activities Helps raise understanding and awareness of military locally • Supports Youth, BAME, Women 100 Engagement activities • Links with local Cadet units • •

Your role as an Armed Forces Champion JD: To raise the profile and needs of the Armed Forces community (serving personnel, both regular and reserve, their families, veterans and Cadets), internally and externally with the County/ Borough and District Councils. Liaise with Task Force Commander • • Council Policy/business impact on Armed Forces Military ceremonial events publicised Armed Forces Covenant Grant Fund Act as Military Ambassadors

Councillor Armed Forces Champions Raise profile and needs of Armed Forces Community within the council and local authority area: – Annual meetings, links with MPs – Remembrance and Ceremonial

Examples of good practice • • • Woking Civilian-Military Panel Guildford Freedom March by ATC (Pirbright) Breakfast Meeting with Chancellor of Exchequer Full Council Meeting Briefing by AFC and TFC A Gurkha ESOL Language Project in Reading Joined up working with AFCs and their TFC Ashford 100 year commemoration of Cambrai MPs briefings by AFCs in Surrey and Kent One Stop Info Leaflets – Sevenoaks Military Events Diary

Armed Forces Covenant Grants • Strengthening local government delivery of the covenant (30 k over 3 years) • Run by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust • Local Grants (up to £ 20 k) – AWAZ (Cumbria)Lest we Forget -local stories – Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life – Cumbria CVS - Carlisle and Eden AF Coordination Project • www. covenantfund. org. uk

Local Authority Services: Ask the question! • Have you or any member of your immediate family ever served in the Armed Forces? • Accurately identify members of the Armed Forces community accessing services • How do you know you are not disadvantaging, if you haven’t asked the question?

Education • Early years childcare • School admissions – process, practicalities and Policy – children may change school 11 times • Attainment – emotional and pastoral may impact • SEN – Special Education Needs • School transport • Service Pupil Premium – how used? • Involvement of Service families in schools – PTA, Governor, classroom helpers etc

Accessing health and social care • Armed Forces Compensation scheme – SE VAPC • Registration with GPs and Dentists – Waiting Lists • Qualification for priority healthcare • Mental Health and PTSD • Hearing Loss • Understanding needs of minority groups (Gurkha and FCO) • Military Family Carers

Adult Social Care • Additional support available for Veterans • Those who served for just a day including everyone who did National Service served (born before 1943) 75+ • Establish if served • Signpost to service charities if appropriate • Look out for trends and issues • Safeguarding

Criminal Justice System Most reliable statistics show that ex-Service personnel make up between 3. 5% - 7% of the prison population in England Wales • Court Diversion Scheme – Custody • Peer Mentoring – Care After Combat Charity • Local trends (e. g. HMP Winchester) • SSAFA working with Veterans in the judicial system Domestic Abuse

Housing • • Homelessness Waiting lists *Local Connection rule now relaxed Rehabilitation of offenders Link to Joint Services Housing Advice Office Forces Help to Buy Scheme – e. g. Nationwide Managing expectations – Covenant not a golden ticket!!!

Employment • Spousal employment – Multiple short-term employment history – Skills training • Jobs on leaving the Service – Signposting, Careers Fair – Public sector services as an employer • Mentoring • Mo. D Employer Recognition Scheme – Bronze, Silver • Forces Friendly Employers Gold – Flexible working • Reservists • Links with local business • Economic Development – Support and growth in Defence industries

Specific welfare issues Summary: • • • Children – safeguarding and education Debt - CAB Loneliness Mobility House adaptations Third sector including Veterans’ Gateway and service charities e. g. SSAFA, RBL, ABF, RNBT, RAFBF

Support provided by the Armed Forces • • Unit Welfare Officers Family Federations - Navy, Army and RAF Benevolent Funds Regimental and Service Associations Padres – pastoral support Civilian Engagement Awareness of Covenant

Service Charities RBL The Royal British Legion is a leading Service Charity providing lifelong support for the RN, British Army and RAF serving men and women, veterans, and their families 24/7 www. britishlegion. org. uk 0808 802 8080 SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity supports Regulars and Reserves from all three Services and their families. A caseworker organisation, they visit the Client’s home www. ssafa. org. uk/armed-forces 0800 731 4880 COBSEO www. cobseo. org. uk

Additional Help Available for Veterans • Veterans’ Gateway: Single point of contact for veterans seeking support www. veteransgateway. org. uk • Other Key Service Charities: • Royal Naval Benevolent Trust www. rnbt. org. uk • ABF The Soldiers’ Charity www. soldierscharity. org • RAF Benevolent Fund www. rafbf. org • Potential Help Available: • Mobility aids, white goods, care home fees, home adaptations, financial assistance etc

Forces Connect SE Signposting App Available for free to download. Search ‘Forces Connect’ in your app store now! Signposting and connecting the entire Armed Forces Community as well as public sector/ not-for-profit practitioners in the South East to the right services for support and advice. Using data from the NHS Armed Forces Networks Referral Pathways. Commissioned by Forces Connect South East and developed by Kent County Council and the Wow Factory. For more information contact: FCSE@surreycc. gov. uk

Being an Elected Councillor Armed Forces Champion • Remember to ask ‘Have you served? ’ • Recognise the unique aspects of service life • Use the knowledge learnt on the course to better assist and support the needs of the Armed Forces Community • To be a point of contact to give advice and guidance

Your Experiences so far as an Armed Forces Champion

Who are Service Champions • • Named Lead Officers and Key Front-Line Staff Education, Health, Housing, Employment, Transport, Welfare Team Leaders / Officers Taking the training today in Penrith! Enabled to train others – via one hour brief. They should also liaise with Armed Forces Champions and County, Borough and District Covenant Officers to create a Network of support They should share training with their teams and promote e-learning packages. Ask ‘Have you served ? ’ to ensure no Service / Ex. Service Personnel are disadvantaged

Top Tips! • • Work closely with the Covenant Officer Develop a personal relationship with TFC Involve the right people – Mayor, Leader, Chairman and Task Force Commander Work Cross-Border Apply for Covenant Grants Share best practice Introduce One Stop Signposting Leaflets Go for Bronze! Go for Silver! Go for Gold!

Forces Connect South East Cross Border Mo. D Project Strengthening local government delivery of the covenant Two year project “Promoting a greater understanding and awareness of the issues affecting the Armed Forces Community within public authorities to ensure the Covenant is embedded and mainstreamed in service delivery, through sharing and building on best practice. ”

Your Local Armed Forces Champions Area Councillor Contact Details Seaton/Allerdale Celia Tibble Phone: 01900 601302 Longtown/Carlisle Val Tarbitt Penrith West/Eden Phone: 01228 791483 email: Val. Tarbitt@cumbria. gov. uk Helen Fearon Phone: 07825 203248, email: Helen. Fearon@cumbria. gov. uk Ulverston East/South Lakeland Mark Wilson Phone: 01229 586404, email: Mark. Wilson 2@cumbria. gov. uk Old Barrow/Barrow Helen Wall Phone: 01229 318018, email: Helen. Wall@cumbria. gov. uk Kells and Sandwith/Copeland Emma Louise Williamson Phone: 07795 505820, email: emma. williamson@cumbria. gov. uk Maryport North/Allerdale Carni Mc. Carron- Holmes Phone: 01900 812834, email: Carni. Mc. Carron-Holmes@cumbria. gov. uk Copeland Alan Forster Phone: 07767 434561, email alan. forster@copelandbc. gov. uk Walney North Anita Husband Phone: 01229 474044 , email aghusband@barrowbc. gov. uk Kendal Town Giles Archibald Phone: 01539 731672, email g. archibald@southlakeland. gov. uk Allerdale Peter Little Peter. little@allerdale. gov. uk Eden/Penrith West John Thompson Tel: 01768 863937, email john. thompson@eden. gov. uk Stanwix Urban/Carlisle Elizabeth Mallinson Phone: 01228 533746, email liz. mallinson@carlisle. gov. uk

Training and Contacts • E-learning Armed Forces Covenant Training Module https: //www. armedforcescovenant. gov. uk/localauthorities/learning-trainingresources/ • E- Learning Employee Mentoring https: //rise. articulate. com/share/4 wqx 3 HHfig 4 p-VO 0 L 8 c. DCQFn 71 Z 05 En 8 • Elected Councillor Training • Service Champions Training – Forces Connect / NHS Armed Forces Networks http: //www. sussexarmedforcesnetwork. nhs. uk/service-champions • Frontline staff awareness training – Forces Connect/Service Champions • Cumbria Contacts: – Jozi Brown – jozib@cumbriacvs. org. uk – Richie Hinson – Armed Forces Support Coordinator (Carlisle and Eden)– Richard. Hinson@cumbriacvs. org. uk

Resource Materials (1) 1. The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 www. armedforcescovenant. gov. uk 2. Service Children – best practice for use of Service Pupil Premium https: //nff. org. uk/service-pupil-premium-guide 3. Employers and Defence: North West RFCA http: //www. nwrfca. org. uk/ Why having Reservists is good for your business - Skills Set of the Army. . . /reservists-aregood-for-business. pdf 4. Defence Focus –The Pecking Order defence-focus-magazine 5. CTP Resettlement Guides https: //www. ctp. org. uk 6. Mo. D Service Leavers Guide https: //www. gov. uk/government/uploads/Service. Leav ers. Guide 8. Joint Service Housing Advice Office

Resource Materials (2) 9. Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee - Veterans UK* https: //www. gov. uk/government/organisations/vetera ns-uk Service Families Federation Links 10. Naval Families Federation: NFF https: //nff. org. uk/ 11. Army Families Federation: Home https: //aff. org. uk 12. RAF Families Federation: Home https: //www. raf-ff. org. uk/ 13. Defence Discount Service and App https: //www. defencediscountservice. co. uk 14. Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust www. covenantfund. org. uk/ *Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v 3. 0

Resource Materials (3) 15. ‘Forces Connect’ App – available on IOS and Google 16. Forces Connect Tool Kit: https: //khub. net/group/forces-connect-toolkit Contains all Forces Connect course presentations, useful tips and resource material for embedding the Covenant across Local Authorities

Questions Next Steps Don’t forget to fill in your Feedback Form!