Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer
Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer
We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Gold Employer.
What does this mean?
We have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant. We proactively demonstrate our forces-friendly credentials within our recruitment and selection processes, by having a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for those indicated as part of the Armed Forces Community. We engage with our local and regional Career Transition Partnership representatives and are an active member of the Step Into Health charity. We employ veterans and reservists from differing branches of the Armed Forces and actively promote our positive policies for the Armed Forces Community, including our Special Leave policy. We advocate support for defence people issues, including facilitating easier access to Healthcare Services for our patients within the AF Community. We have supported employees through Reservist training, through additional leave for their training and ongoing support under our Special Leave policy.
Why we want to recruit veterans, their transferrable skills:
Veteran Aware Trust
We are one of 75 NHS providers that have been accredited as exemplars of the best care for veterans, helping to drive improvements in NHS care for people who serve or have served in the UK armed forces and their families. We are leading the way in improving veterans’ care within the NHS, as part of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
As a Veteran Aware provider we will:
- Provide leaflets and posters to veterans and their families explaining what to expect.
- Train relevant staff to be aware of veterans’ needs and the commitments of the NHS under the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Inform staff if a veteran or their GP has told the hospital they have served in the armed forces.
- Ensure that members of the armed forces community do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens when accessing NHS services.
- Signpost to extra services that might be provided to the armed forces community by a charity or service organisation in the trust.
- Look into what services are available in their locality, which patients would benefit from being referred to.
The VCHA team have created a new video “Have you Served?” available for staff. This has been created after a need was identified by staff after working with the community. As always, we encourage our Champions to reach out with comments, concerns and feedback so we can ensure we are meeting your needs.
Career Transition Partnership
The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence working with Right Management. The CTP are proud to be the official provider of resettlement and have supported leavers of the Armed Forces for over 20 years, as they transition from the military into civilian life. There are huge benefits from registering and accessing the wealth of support on offer, from career transition guidance, skills workshops, vocational training and routes to employment.
Step into Health
The Step into Health programme aims to highlight the many career opportunities available to members of the Armed Forces community within the NHS, particularly non-clinical roles, and aims to support these individuals in gaining employment within the NHS. The programme is supported by key partners including NHS England and NHS Improvement, Walking with the Wounded and The Royal Foundation.
As part of our pledge, we have agreed to a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Armed Forces Community applicants, who meet the essential criteria for a position. Applicants can access this by indicating their Armed Forces Community status, when asked on their NHS Jobs applications.
Check out “Step into Health: The journey from the Armed Forces to the NHS” from NHS Employers video:
The unprecedented pressures the pandemic has placed on the NHS have continued to highlight the valuable skills members of the Armed Forces community can bring to the NHS workforce. Read more about the support given to the NHS by armed forces here.
Forces Connect App
Forces Connect South East (FCSE) is a cross-border partnership created to support the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant and promote a greater understanding and awareness of the issues affecting the Armed Forces Community within public services across the South East.
This app aims to produce an easy-to-use and comprehensive directory of valuable contacts and information, for those seeking help within the Armed Forces Community.
Areas covered within the Forces Connect app include Hampshire, Kent & Medway, Surrey and Sussex providing support for:
- Crisis Support.
- Employment, Education and Training.
- Family Support, Care and Benefits.
- Health and Wellbeing.
- Housing and Homelessness.
Veterans Hub at Guildford Fire Station
Guildford Veterans Drop-in
Date: Last Thursday of every Month 10.30am to 12pm
Location: Guildford Fire Station, Ladymead, Guildford GU1 1DL
Audience: Veterans, reserves and their families.
Support Services
NHS Information
Read more about healthcare for the armed forces by clicking here.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)
The SSAFA is the national charity supporting service personnel, veterans and their families. SSAFA offers support to the community, whether at home, overseas or in an operational environment. Read more about SSAFA here.
The three Service Families Federations (Naval Families Federation, Army Families Federation and Royal Air Force Families Federation) are the independent voices of service families. Each offers independent and confidential advice on a range of issues and works to improve the quality of life for service families.
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is a registered charity that works for the Ministry of Defence to provide practical and emotional support to the Armed Forces Community, when they are in hospital, rehabilitation and recovery centres. Read more about the DMWS here.