[unable to retrieve full-text content]The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Mrs Elizabeth Peace as a Member of the Churches Conservation Trust.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Mr Edward Harley as a Member of the Churches Conservation Trust.

The launch of a new service from Veterans UK targets Service Leavers and their families that may need extra help and guidance transitioning from Service life. Defence Transition Services (DTS) is a team of caseworkers trained and ready to offer a full range of transition support.

The vast majority of Service Leavers make a successful transition to civilian life but a small minority (estimated to be approximately 5%) of the c.15,000 Service Personnel leaving the Armed Forces every year have a less successful transition. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a key role to play in ensuring its Service Leavers are well prepared and supported for their transition into civilian life. The launch of DTS demonstrates the MOD’s commitment to delivering on these responsibilities that were set out in the Strategy for Our Veterans.

Defence Transition Services will be available for those Service Personnel and their families who are likely to benefit from ongoing support, guidance and information before, during and after transition in partnership with those responsible for delivering in-Service welfare and transition. A new Defence Transition Referral Protocol (DTRP) is being introduced to provide a single referral point and access directly into Veterans UK for these cases. The new DTRP will also be the mechanism for accessing support from the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), which will continue to support Veterans as it does now.

Launched as part of the Defence Holistic Transition Policy, this new service is part of a wider programme to have a single, centrally co-ordinated policy to better prepare Service Leavers and their families for their first steps on the transition journey.

Kate McCullough, Officer in Charge of Defence Transition Services, said;

We have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure all our caseworkers are up to speed and prepared to deliver this brand-new provision to Service Personnel and their families. We want DTS to become the ‘go to’ for Service leavers who need that extra support, whatever stage of the transition journey they may be at and we are here and ready to help and guide.

Andy Dowds, Head of Veterans UK, added;

I am delighted to announce the launch of Defence Transition Services and to welcome the Team into the Veterans UK family. We pride ourselves on our service delivery and by working alongside our experienced Veterans Welfare Service, the DTS Team will be aiming to ensure a successful transition for every Service Leaver they support.

Further details about Defence Transition Services are available via Help and Support for Service Leavers and their Families

The Government’s Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) reached a new milestone today, hitting its 500th cadet unit parading in schools across the UK.

Originally launched in 2012, the joint Ministry of Defence and Department for Education programme had an initial target of establishing 100 new cadet units in state secondary schools in England by September 2015.

The scheme was introduced by the Government to increase the numbers of units which could equip young people with unique skills and experiences which can help them in day to day life. Cadet units teach young people transferrable skills that can help with future aspirations and long-term career goals, such as relationship building, problem solving and teamwork.

Due to the success of the original programme, a new target to increase the number of cadet units across the UK to 500 by March 2020, focussing on state schools in areas of high deprivation, was announced in July 2015. The programme has met its target 5 months early.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Being a cadet offers young people the chance to develop key life skills, meet new people and be inspired by our Armed Forces.

The programme has gone from strength to strength, demonstrating the benefits we see in those young people who gain such important, practical and useful skills and experiences.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

It is excellent news that the Cadet Expansion Programme target has been achieved.

We want every young person to feel like they can be part of something rewarding and Cadets offer young people the opportunity to build vital life skills including teamwork and resilience. The units help young people to grow in confidence, build loyalty and respect, and develop a sense of service to others.

In 2018 an independent report from the University of Northampton, part of a four year study, found that joining the cadets offers a range of benefits to individuals and the wider community. Following research across the entire cadet organisation, the report found the huge positive impact that Cadet Forces have on social inclusion, mobility and the mental wellbeing of young people.

The report also concluded that being a member of the Cadet Forces:

• Increased an individual’s belief in their ability to complete specific tasks

• Improved their motivation

• Improved school attendance which leads to better behaviour and attitudes

• May lead to greater academic success which can contribute to increasing social mobility.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said:

This is an excellent milestone for the Cadet Expansion Programme. These new units will help deliver on the Government’s commitment that students from all backgrounds should be able to enjoy the rewards of joining the cadets.

Cadets offer a fantastic opportunity for students to be involved in a range of activities and experiences that they might not otherwise be exposed to, driving forward social mobility.

The next report is due later this year.

Military personnel and their families are to receive enhanced support from the MOD as they re-join civilian life, the Defence Secretary has announced today.

The expanded support includes the launch a new organisation, the Defence Transition Services, which will provide comprehensive support to service leavers.

Dedicated MOD staff across the country will help those few service leavers who may struggle as they transition into civilian life. More responsibility will also be placed on commanders to identify those who are likely to face the greatest challenges in making a successful transition.

Previously, transition support was mainly focussed on ensuring that personnel find jobs when leaving service, through the MOD’s longstanding and successful Career Transition Partnership. Now, personnel and their families will also receive expanded support and guidance, including in areas such as personal finance, accessing healthcare, housing costs and paying council tax.

The new measures announced today also include:

• Regionally based teams with dedicated staff will provide support to individuals and their families assessed as facing the greatest challenges during the transition stage
• Placing responsibility on a service person’s unit to assess each service leaver’s preparedness for transitioning into civilian life. Those assessed as someone who may struggle in civilian life will then be referred to Defence Transition Services
• New guidance for all service leavers on issues to consider when leaving the armed forces, including housing, finances and access to healthcare, as well as the crucial issue of their family’s transition away from being an integral part of Service life
• A new Defence Holistic Transition Policy

Bespoke support from the DTS is provided for a member of the armed forces while they approach their date of discharge and will not stop start when they leave the military. The support can continue for as long as it is needed.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

We have a duty of care to our service personnel and veterans and today’s stepped up support will help ensure that no veteran is left behind.

While the vast majority of those who leave the armed forces go on the lead happy, healthy and successful lives, we need to do everything we can for those who do struggle.

Providing more comprehensive support at the crucial transition stage will help in giving service leavers an extra boost when they re-join civilian life.

A successful transition is key for the majority of service leavers to ensure they build successful lives as civilians. The MOD recognises its crucial role in ensuring its service leavers are as well prepared and supported as possible to re-enter civilian society.

Today’s announcement also delivers against the government-wide strategy for Our Veterans, ensuring the approximate 15,000 service leavers each year contribute fully to society and setting the standard for future recruitment to the armed forces.

The new initiatives, which will be run by the MOD, will ensure that service leavers are fully considering all relevant aspects of their departure from the Armed Forces, the effect of that departure on their families, and the appropriate steps to be taken to ensure that the transition, both in the short and long term, is as successful as possible.

Providing an extra layer of care for those preparing to leave the military, DTS will deliver specialist support for personnel who are most likely to face challenges as they adjust to civilian life. Service leavers will be offered unique solutions to the challenges they face, including help with employment.

The DTS will also be responsible for providing signposting and connecting with external support from other government departments and public bodies, as well as trusted charities.

The increased support comes after the Government established the Office for Veterans Affairs, bringing together all relevant Government departments to ensure that veterans are receiving the support they need and deserve.