Civilian employment Covenant support for Service families and the Bereaved
Supporting spouses and partners aspirations is also part of the Covenant, as we recognise the importance of family within the armed forces community.
Organisations who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant have made their own commitments to supporting reservists, spouses and veterans. Find Forces friendly employers in your area.
There are various initiatives under DWP’s enhanced access to Jobcentre Plus services that may benefit you.
You may be able to claim National Insurance credits for time spent accompanying your partner abroad.
As a spouse / partner of serving personnel, you can be considered for early access to the Work Programme which provides support, work experience and training for up to 2 years to help people find and stay in work. Those who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for at least 3 month are eligible.
You can nominate your employer or an organisation for a silver or gold award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) which encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.
The College of Policing have published updated vetting guidance so spouses and dependants of service personnel will no longer fail the residency requirements due to time spent overseas when applying to work for the Police Service.
RBLI Lifeworks is a fully funded support service to help military spouses and partners get the job they want. It’s available to all spouses and partners of any serving (or recently discharged) member of the British armed forces, including reserves and bereaved families. It’s completely free as the course is fully funded by Armed Forces charities.
Supporting the Unsung Hero course is an Award winning, business start-up programme delivered by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce a Defence Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award Holder.
The Programme has been developed specifically for Armed Forces families to provide them with the transferable skills and support required to start and maintain a business. Now in it’s eighth year the course continues to be in high demand from Armed Forces Families, Veterans and Reservists. https://www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/
Recruit for Spouses is an independent social enterprise Community Interest Company run largely by people who have a Serving spouse. They exist to help military spouses and partners find a job or start a business. They can offer help with CVs and interview skills, enhancing digital skills, sourcing career opportunities and placing spouses and partners into posts advertised by partner organisations. They offer access to a range of free online resources including webinars, social media and live Q&A sessions and extend their support to the spouses and partners of serving personnel, veterans, and bereaved or divorced spouses and partners. Visit Recruit for Spouses website
Forces Families Jobs is a website that seeks to bring together employers and service spouses looking for jobs. It was set up in 2019 by the three Families Federations and the MOD, with support from military charities and a major recruitment agency.
RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity – Families Programme provides tailored careers and employability support to meet the diverse and individual needs of partners within the Armed Forces Community (all partners and spouses of both serving personnel and veterans including those who are separated, divorced and widowed in the UK and overseas). It’s easy to register, click here to submit your request or call our central support team on 0121 262 3058 who’ll connect you with an Advisor or email info@rfea.org.uk
