The Community Welfare Pathway

Roseanne FearonHead Of Service, Adult Services

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The First Steps

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• The Community Welfare Pathway Initiative was one of the key proposals originating from; ‘ The Nations Commitment; Cross Government Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans’.

• The pilot was subject to consultation with the Ministry of Defence, the Scottish Government and the Services of Council.

• Fife was identified as the Scottish pilot site.

• There are in excess of 3,000 members of the Armed Forces Community in Fife

• Fife Council’s participation in the pilot project was approved by Elected Members in January 2010.

• Strategic contacts for the local Armed Forces, Veterans Group, NHS Fife and the Local Authority were identified to lead and develop the pilot project.

• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence, Fife Council and Scottish Veterans Charities was signed on 15 March 2010.

The Fife Firm Base

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The Fife Firm Base

The operational framework

A secure environment, at home and overseas, that sustains the front line, enables training for and deployment

on operations and ensures the consent and support of the public

and host nations

Support theArmed Forces

Operational SupportManning

Terms & Conditions of ServiceValues & StandardsCareer Management

AdministrationBuilt Estate

Support Services

Engage theCommunityCommunity

Support

UK Based OpsRecruitingReserves

Youth and CadetsVeterans

OGDsRegional Authorities

CharitiesCeremonial

Public Military Events

Well-BeingHealthcare & Recovery

Recognition Children & Young People

Housing & Living ConditionsEducation, Training & Resettlement

(Employment) Sport & Adventurous Training

Security & Protection

Firm Base Aims

• To develop the aspirations of the Firm Base into a reality of joined up responses across Fife for military personal, their families and veterans.

• To reference the Firm Base principles with key Scottish Government and public sector outcomes.

Resource Implications

• The focus is targeted at enhanced co-ordination of existing resources.

Firm Base Workstreams• The development of clear first point of

contact information and simple signposting to the Armed Forces national point of contact.

• To direct the Armed Forces Community

to additional help that may be available locally from the Third Sector or public agencies in Fife.

To improve access for the Armed Forces Community to their statutory entitlement to public services.

Firm Base Workstreams To publicise services available in Fife to

the Armed Forces Community

To undertake a mapping exercise that will inform the future planning of services for the Armed Forces Community in Fife.

Community Covenant

Expected Outcome

• The very highest level of co-ordinated public services to the Armed Forces Community in Fife.

Strategic and Operational Links With The Firm Base

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The Fife Firm Base - Strategic Link

• Provides an overview of the challenges of supporting former and current servicemen and woman.

• Supports the development and sharing of best practice in Scotland.

• Contributes to high level policy being developed by the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Government.

The Fife Firm Base - Operational Link

• Involves the lead strategic contacts for the local Armed Forces, Veterans Group, NHS Fife and the Local Authority.

• Ensures co-ordinated public services are being delivered for the Armed Forces Community in Fife.

• Develops outcomes and takes forward planning in the medium term/longer term.

Outcomes

Some Examples

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12

3

Firm Base Line of Development

Output Linked Scottish Government

National Outcome

ActionsIn

Fife

RecognitionProvide policy and direction to ensure our people are appropriately recognised

Outcome 13We take pride in a strong, fair and inclusive national identity

Social Work Service Eligibility Criteria revised to support the Armed Forces involved in active duties

Contact Centre provides co-ordinated signposting

Healthcare and Recovery

Provide and assure healthcare recovery to soldiers and families, including a recovery capability for soldiers

Outcome 6We live longer, healthier lives

Actioned and achieved through the Health and Social Care Plan,

The New Physical Disability Strategic Implementation Group

12

3

Firm Base Line of Development

Output Linked Scottish Government

National Outcome

ActionsIn

Fife

Children and Young People

Provide policy and direction to our children and young people’s services

Outcome 4

Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens

Outcome 5

Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed

Achieved through implementation of joint early years strategy, Getting It Right for Every Child,

Delivery of multi agency child protection improvement plan and the Integrated Children’s Services Plan

Veterans

Develop policy and activities that assist veterans and harness their support

Outcome 2 We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people

Achieved through working with Fife Employability Team, the DWP and work with voluntary sector

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AS A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY, HOW DO I UNDERSTAND THE MAZE OF OPTIONS I MAY HAVE AVAILABLE TO ME?

1. THE COMMUNITY WELFARE PATHWAY IN FIFE

• THE FIRM BASE - CO-ORDINATING

• PARTNERSHIP WORKING – LEADS TO

• ENHANCED CO-ORDINATION OF SERVICES ACROSS FIFE

2. THE SHARED VISION AND PATHWAY IN FIFE

1. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAR CONTACT INFORMATION THROUGH SIMPLESIGNPOSTING TO THE NATIONAL POINT OF CONTACT.

1. THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY WILL BE DIRECTED TO ADDITIONAL HELP THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE LOCALLY FROM THE THIRD SECTOR OR PUBLIC AGENCIES.

1. PUBLIC SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY IN FIFE ARE PUBLICISED.

1. THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY HAS IMPROVED ACCESS TO THEIR STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICES.

1. THE FIRM BASE MAPPING EXERCISE WILL INFORM FUTURE PLANNING OF SERVICES IN FIFE.

2. THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO FIFE

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Firm Base – Final Thoughts

• Focus on the Possible

• Challenge

• Resilience

• Optimism, ambition and integrity

Roseanne FearonHead Of Service, Adult Services

Telephone – 08451 55 55 55 441180E-Mail - roseanne.fearon@fife.gov.uk

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