The Strategy for Our Veterans - taking the strategy forward in Scotland: refreshed action plan

Annex B Summary of Completed Commitments

Commitments made in our original 2020 action plan which we consider to be complete.

Cross-Cutting Factor/Key Theme : 2020 Commitment

Transition

Contributing to MOD's plans to take forward its new Holistic Transition Policy. The new policy is intended to support Service personnel and their families to better prepare for life after the military on a through-career basis, by recognising that transition is far wider than employment and that a wide range of life-changing issues can affect both the Service person and their immediate family as they leave the Armed Forces. Through the policy, the single Services will identify potential vulnerable Service leavers and facilitate a referral to the new Defence Transition Services.

Transition Community and Relationships

Responding to the Veterans Commissioner's focus on transition as a key future theme of his work, with an emphasis on how communities in Scotland can best work together to support veterans.

Community and Relationships

Expanding the criteria for the Scottish Veterans Fund, to emphasise inclusion and social integration, so that future local projects can be supported.

Providing a programme of development for breakfast club volunteers across Scotland to receive formal training on Befriending and Mental Health First Aid.

Employment, Education and Skills

Supporting the development of a Co‑working Hub in Helensburgh to support families based in Faslane. This follows the model of the Leuchars Co‑working Hub, which was the first hub in the Military Co-working Network, and we will consider if the model could be further extended to other areas.

Expanding the criteria for the Workplace Equality Fund, to incorporate the Armed Forces community, including veterans and spouses.

Continuing to support the relationships between GTCS and the Armed Forces to overcome barriers that may be experienced by Service personnel interested in pursuing a teaching career in Scotland. The GTCS have introduced Provisional Conditional Registration for teachers who have appropriate previous experience.

Sharing practitioner resources and case studies of supporting Armed Forces children, on Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub.

Supporting the University of Strathclyde to develop an articulation route that allows Service leavers with HND qualifications to enter initial teacher education programmes.

Working with SDS to provide £60,000 to a consortium led by SaluteMyJob to deliver a pilot project to upskill/reskill veterans and spouses into Cyber Security jobs, between January and April 2020.

Finance and Debt

Promoting, with our partners, the Moneyforce website, a programme led by the Royal British Legion that aims to improve the financial capability of the UK Armed Forces by providing money guidance to all those serving in the military and their families. [This commitment is no longer relevant as the Moneyforce website no longer exists]

Working with the Money Advice Trust, who, in designing their new guide 'How to Deal with Debt' which is due for launch in 2020, will engage with the Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP), part of Citizens Advice Scotland, to ensure that the specific needs of the veterans community are addressed as appropriate in the guide.

Ensuring that veterans stakeholders, including ASAP, are formally consulted as part of the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Scottish Action Plan for Financial Wellbeing to be launched in 2020.

Making a Home in Civilian Society

Continuing to engage with veterans organisations on our Housing to 2040 vision and route map. This follows our commitment to plan together with stakeholders for how our homes and communities should look and feel in 2040 and the options and choices to get there.

Amending legislation so that, from 1 July 2019, where the landlord is a charity providing accommodation to veterans, a private residential tenancy agreement will not apply. This will ensure that veterans-specific accommodation in the private rented sector can continue to be used, ensuring that a veteran may be offered temporary accommodation for a period of rehabilitation and training, or permanent accommodation in line with the organisation's charitable purpose and the needs of the veterans.

Promoting the publication recently produced by Poppyscotland and its partners, Housing in Scotland – A Best Practice Guide, which provides guidance for social housing providers on how they can best support the Armed Forces and veterans community.