Part of our local protected characteristics names veterans and their families as we recognise the importance of the value you bring to our area.

If you have been posted here and are looking for local support to transition, firstly speak to your welfare teams who can provide advice on education, health and social care, housing and education and employment.

Education (children, young people and families)

We pride ourselves on giving our children and young people opportunities to take their best next step. We have a range of guidance for families and professionals on childcare, safeguarding, SEND and local support. We also have a Family Information Directory that highlights activities, family hubs, health and wellbeing opportunities.

BCP Partnership Academy provides a framework that promotes and enables a professional learning culture, improving professional practice and driving up standards to deliver high-quality services to the children, young people and families living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance is a partnership of organisations focused on improving outcomes for children from Armed Forces families. It is hosted by the University of Winchester and supported by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). According to their targeting tool, Dorset has a higher-than-average number of Service children per school.

Service personnel with children in state schools in England (reception-age to Year 11) should notify schools of their children’s service status so they are recorded before the autumn census (first Thursday in October) to qualify for Service Pupil Premium (SPP).

SENDiass provides free, impartial, and confidential information, advice and support for children and young people (up to the age of 25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their parents/carers, living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

BCP Council Education, Health and Care Co-ordinators (EHCO) (formally Case Officers) are linked to our local schools. As link officers for schools, Co-ordinators support children and young people with an EHCP and those for whom a request for statutory assessment has been submitted.

Parents and young people wishing to submit a request for assessment or who wish to ask their setting to do so on their behalf are advised to speak with their school or setting initially.

Op COMMUNITY can also support you to navigate the NHS landscape when your child is in the process of a diagnosis or receiving an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP). To request support, you can email dhc.dorset.veterans@nhs.net.

Health and social care

We have specialist Armed Forces Champions within our Adult Health and Social Care teams, please contact us if you are moving into the area or are existing residents linked to the Armed Forces community and you require support.

We also have an Adult Social Care directory where you can find support for yourself or a loved one as well as information about local activities and events, community groups, charities and organisations.

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families. It’s an NHS service supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the armed forces community.

Op COMMUNITY provides sympathetic, confidential, and practical support to families of serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and carers living in Dorset to improve and promote physical and mental wellbeing. A families welfare officer (FWSO) is on hand to support and advocate for individuals to ensure they receive appropriate advice and guidance when navigating the NHS landscape, local authority departments or other support agencies. To request support, email dhc.dorset.veterans@nhs.net.

Op NOVA provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system in England, enabling them to access the services they need. Their specialist team is drawn from those who have served in the armed forces, as well as partners, children and parents of those who serve or have served. Other members of the team have worked in the police, probation, prisons or charity sector. To request support, email opnova@forcesemployment.org.uk.

Housing

If you are looking to settle in the local area, you can check your eligibility to apply for a council home. If you have found yourself at risk of being homeless, please contact Op FORTITUDE or reach out to our teams within the Homelessness Partnership for support.

Employment and training

We are currently working towards obtaining our Gold Award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme as part of the Armed Forces Covenant. Additionally, there are over 160 businesses across Dorset that have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

If you need support with finding employment, returning to work, upskilling or would like to set up your own business, we have a range of independent training providers that have either signed the covenant or offer discounted courses.:

• Arts University Bournemouth
• Bournemouth University
• Health Sciences University
• Bournemouth and Poole College
• Skills and Learning Adult Education Centres

If you have international qualifications and you would like to have them recognised within the UK, please contact UK ENIC for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills. They provide the international reference point for qualifications and skills standards.

The Forces Employment Charity is uniquely positioned to offer long standing expertise with a modern approach to recruitment. They also work with families, veterans in the criminal justice system, and wounded, injured and sick service leavers and more through an unrivalled range of programmes and practical tools specific to individual needs and circumstances.

Self employment

Our Economic Development team is flexible, multi-skilled, highly experienced and they provide a valued service to businesses, harnessing the potential of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole and make it a place where people and businesses want to be.

To support our local Armed Forces business community, we partnered with Veteran Entrepreneurs to set up the Dorset Armed Forces Community Business Support Network Group that meets on the last Tuesday of every month. The purpose of this group is to raise the profile of businesses that have been set up locally by someone linked to the Armed Forces community. It will provide networking opportunities, business opportunities, and business support. It is also a chance to network with like-minded people in a safe environment whilst supporting economic growth and employment opportunities. Email economicdevelopment@bcpcouncil.gov.uk for more information.

We also work closely with Barclays Eagle Labs who support the Barclays Military & Veterans Outreach team work with Armed Forces communities, creating opportunities for serving personnel, veterans, reservists and the wider military family.

DWP and the Armed Forces Covenant

As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiatives that help current and former armed forces personnel and your families access Jobcentre Plus services.

This includes having an armed forces champion in every Jobcentre Plus district who ensures that they provide support that meets your needs. Our local advisor supports Dorset, Yeovil and the New Forest and attends your local Garrison’s to provide support. Speak to your local Welfare team to arrange an appointment or email southwest.armedforceschampionslead@dwp.gov.uk.