Support for Veterans and the Armed Forces community: report 2017

1

The Scottish Government should continue to work with the UK Government to ensure that online advice and briefings reflect housing policy and provision in Scotland, so that Service Leavers choosing to settle in Scotland are not disadvantaged.

4

2

the Scottish Government should continue to work with the UK Government to ensure that advice and MoD briefings reflect housing policy and provision in Scotland, so Service Leavers choosing to settle in Scotland are not disadvantaged (also recommended in the Transition in Scotland report)

2

3

The requirement to prove a "local connection" needs far better explanation in MoD, Scottish Government and Local Authority publications, including leaflets and websites, targeted at housing providers, veterans and Service personnel.

4 and 7

4

The Scottish Government should consider wider distribution of the Scottish Housing Guide for People Leaving the Armed Forces and work with MoD, public sector organisations and charities in Scotland to raise its profile, ensuring it appears on all Scottish Local Authority websites and on relevant UK Government websites.

2, 4 and 7

5

The Scottish Government should review its Scottish Housing Guide for People Leaving the Armed Forces with the aim of improving content, visual impact and accessibility.

2, 4 and 7

6

the Scottish Government should review the information provided on its website relating to housing targeted at Service Leavers, veterans and their families in order to improve accessibility and currency

1, 4 and 7

7

The Scottish Government should consider placing all information for veterans and Service Leavers (not just information on housing) in one area like the mygov.scot website.

1 and 4

8

All Scottish Local Authorities should consider offering housing information for Service Leavers, veterans and their families on their websites with direct links from Housing home pages to improve accessibility.

Not primarily for the Scottish Government, but covered in section 1

9

Local Authorities should consider providing additional guidance to their frontline staff on the principles of the Covenant and the council's policy on housing support for veterans.

Not primarily for the Scottish Government, but covered in section 1

10

The Scottish Government should work with Local Authorities and MoD to improve information-sharing to ensure those leaving the Services are aware of the opportunities available in Scotland and Local Authorities are given advance notice of those expressing a wish to live in their area (also highlighted in recommendation 2 of the Transition in Scotland report).

2 and 4

11

The Scottish Government and other housing information providers should consider taking a lead from Shelter Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland when looking to upgrade their websites and generate a more extensive online presence, and should consider promoting these organisations' websites more extensively.

1 and 4

12

The Scottish Government and Veterans Scotland should work together with partners, including the UK Government and other parts of the Third sector, to ensure that housing information is easily visible on the Veterans UK and other pan- UK websites in order to reach a wider audience.

1 and 4