AFC0018

Written evidence submitted anonymously.

Following the call for evidence of the good and the bad regards Armed Forces Covenant(AFC), please find the two personal thoughts I have had as a Regular and Veteran/FTRS.

Schools –

GOOD – In May 2012 we were posted from [REDACTED] to [REDACTED] and were to be placed in a hiring prior to buying our own home. The area we were housed by DIO did not offer the family wrap for my two children that another school within [REDACTED] did. Initially [REDACTED] Council were not willing to support a school place prior to posting or to another ward from where our hiring was. We quoted the AFC and after consideration the Council changed their position. They allowed us to place the children into the school of choice and raised the class sizes to accommodate them. The Council now have a statement on their website that states their policies which includes accepting posting notices and unit addresses as proof that you will be residing locally.

BAD – As a school governor and parent I have come across misunderstanding of what the AFC means for Service Children. The schools did not understand what to do when I was posted to [REDACTED]. They treated my children like SEND kids. They missed the opportunities to help them with social issues caused by constant moving and disruption; my eldest had been through 6 schools by age 11 and never been in once place any length of time. This experience was also as a result of the schools being in [REDACTED] where there is little Service population, so experiences may be different in places nearer to bases. My request would be to help the education authorities and schools with low Service Children populations to a greater extent and ensure that Service children get the best opportunities available, everywhere they are based.

HEALTH –

GOOD – There is no good.

BAD – No NHS dentists for Adults is a huge issue. We all left home with NHS dentistry and our spouses the same. Why 20 years later when you return home are you treated like you moved to the area for your own benefit and therefore at the back of the queue for NHS places. This seems unjust and costs real money for veterans and FTRS personnel. I would suggest that similar to schools the Dentist and Doctors should take on Service Families as NHS patients, even if it breeches their numbers.

My second point is regards health care as an FTRS Service Person. I have had to wait 18 months for medical diagnosis and treatment for [REDACTED]. This would have been resolved quicker had I been in Regular Service. I would have had access to Physios and ERIs immediately and been flashed through to MRI and whatever treatment. Whilst I acknowledge I am not deployable in the same way a Regular Service person is, I still have a Med Cat and 35 days a year for the RAF to use me anywhere it sees fit. Furthermore, I must pass my fitness test and MOD 1 military training. By leaving FTRS personnel on the NHS waiting lists along with the wider population, you run the risk of them becoming unproductive due to length of wait for health care. The NHS also have a different opinion of what good looks like and do not really take a person’s job in to account when giving treatment. Finally, my treatment at the hands of the NHS has harmed my career as I have not been able to rejoin the Service, something that we need at the moment with falling in Service Numbers. Potentially it also could affect my ability to apply for other FTRS posts and therefore promotions, which is unfair. Therefore, I believe that consideration within the AFC could be to expedite FTRS and PTVR personnel in the NHS to ensure you retain them as a solid, experienced fighting force.

[REDACTED]

19th February 2025