New guidance for school governors and trustees on supporting Service children

To help schools and trusts to better understand the educational related challenges that Service children may face, and to help them thrive in education, the National Governance Association (NGA) has issued new guidance for school governing boards and trustees. The NGA created this guidance in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence – who provide statutory guidance for schools on the Armed Forces Covenant Duty – and the Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance.

The guidance:

Outlines the education-related disadvantages that can arise for Service children and the potential impact of parental deployment, separation and family mobility.

Explains the role of governing boards in allocating school funding to meet the needs of Service children and has questions for boards to ask and consider.

Explores how the SCiP Alliance’s Thriving Lives Toolkit can be used as a self-assessment tool by schools to monitor and improve their practice and support for Service children.

References the Armed Forces Covenant Duty, and which education functions of a school are in scope. If you are a Service parent who sits on a school governing board or trust, read and share this new guidance with the board.

Point of contact: Armed Forces Families & Safeguarding - Education Policy Team People-affs-education-mailbox@mod.gov.uk

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust - boosting Veterans’ housing with six new awards

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) has awarded over £255K to six projects across the UK, under the Development Grants and Refurbishment Grants programmes, on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs Veterans' Capital Housing Fund.

The Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund supports projects that contribute to the wider aim of ending Veterans’ homelessness by providing affordable and viable homes for Veterans.

The six funded projects will help to refurbish homes to not only be warm, but energy efficient as well assisting in the early-stage development of new build projects.

Morecambe: Bay Veterans Association Breakfast Clubs

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Defence Medical Welfare Services

 

Please click the image to enlarge or visit the DMWS website here

Op COURAGE - The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

 

After serving in the Armed Forces, some people find it hard to adjust to civvy street. If you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is here to help.

Op COURAGE is an NHS service in England that’s been developed with people who’ve served in the Armed Forces and experienced mental ill-health. Every member of staff within the service is either from the Armed Forces or has experience of working with the military community. In partnership with Armed Forces charities and NHS services, the staff at Op COURAGE provide specialist care, support and treatment for those due to leave the military, reservists and those who’ve served. Since its launch in 2017, the service has helped nearly 30,000 veterans.

West Midlands: Telford & Wrekin Council's Leisure Concession Scheme

The Telford & Wrekin Council’s Leisure Concession Scheme affords reduced price access to a range of sports and leisure facilities for Serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans.  

They are entitled to a discounted rate of £1 for a swim during public sessions (unless covered by a free swimming initiative) and at least 40% off other non-instructed activities and at least 15% off instructed activities and memberships.  

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

Grantham: Lincolnshire Family Support Service

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

South West: Support from the National Careers Service

 

Follow the NCS South West & Oxfordshire Facebook page here

Alternatively click here to visit the National Careers Service homepage

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVE's

Op RESTORE

 

Op RESTORE is the new name for the Veterans Trauma Network.

Please click here to read this leaflet online

To visit the Op RESTORE website, please click here

For more information on health services for Veterans, click here

Serve and Protect Credit Union launch limited-time Fixed Saver account, offering a guaranteed return of 5% AER

Are you looking to earn a guaranteed return on your savings? Serve and Protect Credit Union have launched their latest fixed-rate savings account.

​Serve and Protect Credit Union (formerly Police Credit Union) are a not-for-profit organisation designed to help people in the police, prison, military, fire, and health services save money for their financial future.

• Their Fixed Saver account allows you to deposit from £1,000 up to £10,000, with a guaranteed return of 5% AER over a term of 12 months.

• Your savings with Serve and Protect Credit Union are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, covering you up to £85,000.

By opening a Fixed Saver, you not only earn a competitive return on your savings, but you also play a vital role in providing affordable loans to those who serve and protect the nation.

Don't miss out on this exclusive offer! It's available on a first-come-first-served basis, so act fast. The product is available throughout January and just requires you to complete a simple application online.

Please Note: If you are not already a member of Serve and Protect, you can still apply, but you will have to do so by the 26th of January 2024.

To apply or learn more about the Fixed Saver, visit: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver/