Local authorities

Local authorities can support the Armed Forces community and implement the Covenant by:

Mitigating the impacts of military life on users of your services from the Armed Forces community

The public services you provide might be used by:

• Currently serving Regular or Reserve members of the UK Armed Forces
• Family members of someone serving, or formerly serving, in the UK Armed Forces
• Bereaved family members of someone who died on service in the UK Armed Forces
• Service leavers and former members (‘veterans’) of the UK Armed Forces

Some of these people might face disadvantages compared to the general population, arising from military life, when accessing your services. For example, it might be harder for them to access your services while serving overseas. You might be able to mitigate some of these disadvantages.

You might also have opportunities to offer special provision to those sacrificing the most, such as the injured and the bereaved.

Find out more about mitigating the impacts of military life, and offering special provision, in healthcare, education and housing.

Employing members of the Armed Forces community

As a local authority, you might employ:

• Currently serving Reserve members of the UK Armed Forces
• Family members of someone serving, or formerly serving, in the UK Armed Forces
• Bereaved family members of someone who died on service in the UK Armed Forces
• Service leavers and veterans of the UK Armed Forces

You can be a Forces friendly employer of members of the Armed Forces community, receive awards that recognise your commitment to the Covenant, and get help and advice. Find out more about employing members of the Armed Forces community.

Show your support

Sign the Covenant, apply for Covenant funding, or use the Covenant branding. Find out more about showing your support.

You can also View local authorities who have signed the Covenant.

Local authority guides

The Covenant team in the Ministry of Defence has published guides for practitioners in local authorities. As part of their work to take forward the recommendations of the Our Community – Our Covenant report, they consulted closely with Covenant stakeholders to put together guides to the Covenant for local authorities. The document ‘A guide for local authorities’ provides an overview of what the Covenant is and how it can be delivered within the local community. It is aimed specifically at local authorities and their partners. As public services are delivered differently in each of the UK’s four home nations, detailed guidance has been prepared for each, and can also be found by following the link above.

Forces in Mind toolkit for local authorities

The Forces in Mind Trust is a charitable organisation that aims to enable ex-Service personnel and their families to lead successful civilian lives. The Trust frequently commissions research, and has produced reports on effective delivery of the Covenant within communities.

This includes a toolkit for councils to help implement the Covenant. This is based on a review of successful councils and how they help deliver the Covenant in their area.

Good practice local authority websites and mobile phone apps

It is for each local authority to decide how best to configure their own website to reflect the needs of the Armed Forces community in their area. For example, some areas have large concentrations of serving personnel. Others have more veterans or a particularly effective charity sector. Here are some examples of good practice local authority websites and mobile phone apps:

• Surrey County Council: directory page for Armed Forces members settling in Surrey.
• Forces Connect is a free mobile app that signposts veterans, Armed Forces personnel, Reservists and their families to support and advice in their local area on a range of important issues. These include health, housing and education. Forces Connect South East developed the app, with initial funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Forces Connect South East is a cross-border partnership comprising local authorities in the south east region, local Armed Forces representation, Service charities, and the local NHS Armed Forces Networks.
• Oxfordshire County Council has produced a helpful leaflet in an easy-to-read format. It links to organisations relevant to the Armed Forces community.
• North Lanarkshire Council has a very useful website with good signposting to the full range of help available to the Armed Forces community.
• The Cardiff Council website is also packed with useful information. This includes a full range of tabs listing what support is available for those serving, veterans, and their families.
• The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has produced a useful Guide to Armed Forces Covenant delivery across the region.

Case study: Information a site better for people in Devon

Case study: Digital platforms boost support for Armed Forces in the south west

Research documents for local authorities

Understanding Military Culture: York St John University has published a report for staff in local authorities and medical services who have dealings with serving and veteran personnel.

The Local Government Association has written a report for local authorities and healthcare professionals on meeting the public health needs of the Armed Forces.