Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages UK employers to support defence personnel and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for the employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Sefton Council were awarded the Silver Award on 24 May 2023 after previously been awarded Bronze on 17 March 2020, and it aims to achieve the Gold Award for the scheme in recognition of its commitment to support those employees who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families.
Armed Forces Community Covenant
Sefton Council takes seriously its commitment to its Armed Forces Community, recognising the wide range of sacrifices in-Service and ex-Service personnel and their families make, and ensuring they get a fair deal and do not face disadvantages when accessing public services. We will also make special consideration for those in our Armed Forces community who have given the most.
In 2012, Sefton Council was represented by our then Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Robert Brennan and our then CEO, Margaret Carney, when they joined Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald MBE, Commander 42 (NW) Brigade of the British Army and our local partners to sign Sefton's Armed Forces Community Covenant.
The Armed Forces Act 2021 amended the Armed Forces Act 2006 and it came into effect on 22 November 2022. It place a legal duty (the 'Covenant Duty') on specified public bodies to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising certain statutory functions in the fields of healthcare, education and housing. The Government produced Statutory Guidance on the Armed Forces Covenant to assist the specified bodies to comply with their legal obligations, by providing information about the duty and those people within the Armed Forces Community who are beneficiaries of the Duty. It highlights the issues these people can face as a result of service life, and illustrates good practice.
Sefton Council's current Armed Forces Champion, is Cllr Clare Carragher and she signed the Council's revised Armed Forces Community Covenant in April 2023
The Community Covenant complements the Armed Forces Covenant which affirms our role supporting Armed Forces Families by:
- Recognising the status of serving soldiers and veterans through public events and other public support e.g. Armed Forces Day
- Helping and advising members of our Armed Forces Community when accessing public services
- Making it easier for services personnel, families and veterans to access help and support available from the Ministry of Defence, statutory providers and our partners in the charitable and voluntary sectors
- Welcoming the invaluable input and contribution to community life in Sefton by our Armed Forces Community
- Ensuring key services are signposted to the Armed Forces Community
Veterans In Sefton
Veterans In Sefton aims to provide advice and assistance to Sefton's military veterans on a range of issues including health, housing and employment.
Further support for Armed Forces Personnel in Sefton
The Sefton Directory is a useful source of information on services that directly or indirectly help Armed Forces personnel, including veterans, and their families. Type 'Armed Forces' into the Search.
If you have any queries in relation to the covenant to request a copy, please contact Sefton Council's Armed Forces Champion.