Support of employees who are military spouses: FOI release

Information requested

Information on what support and working arrangements are provided by the Scottish Government to employees that are military spouses on acknowledgement in the article the barriers of employment that this group of individuals have to face including relocation at short notice.

Response

Officials in the Scottish Government (SG) work with and regularly meet with the Armed Forces Families Federations to help identify what support Military spouses and partners need and how we can assist with that. As part of that, we produce a ‘Welcome to Scotland’ guide each year with information regarding 3rd sector organisations that can help with the employment and training opportunities that are available for Military spouses and Partners: Welcome to Scotland - Welcome to Scotland: A guide for Service personnel and their families in Scotland - updated 2024 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Over the past 2 years we have facilitated an online employment event for the spouses and partners of veterans and serving personnel, specifically advertising SG jobs and the Going Forward into Employment scheme, under which they are eligible for civil service employment without having to undertake a formal competitive recruitment process. They must be an Armed Forces spouse or partner(their current partner must still be serving or must have been discharged within the last 12 months). Further information on the GFIE scheme can be found here – Realising the potential of Military Spouses and Partners in the Civil Service – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk) .

As an employer the Scottish Government offers a range of support for flexible working to all employees. The Scottish Government operates hybrid working arrangements which blends working in Scottish Government workspaces, working from home, and externally in the community with stakeholders. This means if an individual is required to relocate due to their spouse or partner being redeployed, then they may more easily be able to continue their employment with the Scottish Government.

Staff also have the opportunity to apply for a career break should they need to relocate to accompany their spouse or apply for special leave to meet a short-term need.

An Armed Forces and Veterans network is available which spouses and partners of serving Armed Forces Personnel can access, along with staff who are ex-Armed Forces. This allows staff to share thoughts, concerns and experiences safely and connect with others to form a wider support network.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.