Armed Forces Covenant

We're proud to be a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to make sure that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. This recognises the sacrifices the armed forces make on behalf of the country.

How we support the armed forces community

If you have any armed forces related questions, email armed.forces@derbyshire.gov.uk

We have information that may help, including:

• cost of living advice
• benefits, debt and legal matters
• help for carers and people with disabilities
• help with mental health
• grants for community groups and charities
• careers advice
• Vision Derbyshire business start-up programme
• contact details for district and borough councils, who are responsible for services such as housing

Service Pupil Premium

If you have a child in a government-funded school, the school can claim a Service Pupil Premium, to help support your child.

To claim, the school must have details that the child meets the qualifying criteria at the point the school completes their annual census.

Reserve forces personnel in our employment

We support employees who are members of the reserve forces, recognising the need to be flexible with regard to leave for training, supporting any mobilisations and deployment.

Armed Forces Champion

Councillor David Wilson is our Armed Forces Champion. His role is to show commitment to supporting the armed forces and effect change across the local authority with the needs of the armed forces community in mind.

Employer recognition scheme

The defence employer recognition scheme recognises and rewards UK employers for their support and commitment towards the armed forces community.

There are 3 tiers of award: gold, silver and bronze. We have a silver award in recognition of our commitment in this area.

The Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership

We work with other local authorities, charities and service providers through the Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership to develop the provision and promotion of local services for our armed forces community.

The overall aims are to:

• encourage local communities to support the armed forces and to understand and be aware of the issues affecting the armed forces community
• recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces
• encourage activities that help integrate the armed forces community into local life
• encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement