Recommendations from Transition in Scotland, 2015

Key

  • Not implemented
  • Partially implemented
  • Implemented but work should continue to embed
  • Fully implemented
  • Superseded
 Recommendation2019202020212025
1

MOD advice and briefings relevant to Scotland

The Scottish Government should continue to work with the UK Government to ensure that online advice and briefings reflect housing policy and provision in Scotland, so that Service Leavers choosing to settle in Scotland are not disadvantaged.

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Notes

This recommendation has been merged with Recommendation 1 of the Housing report and progress will be assessed there.

2

Information for Local Authorities

The Scottish Government and COSLA should engage with the UK Government to ensure that work on providing more information about resettlement destinations reflects the information needs of Scottish Local Authorities.

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Notes

Progress will now be reported on in 2022 through recommendations in the Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

3

Effective devolved services

The Scottish Government and its agencies should engage closely with the UK Government once the new Career Transition Partnership (CTP) programme is in place to ensure that devolved services can provide the full range of employability, skills and learning support to Service Leavers in Scotland.

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Notes

Progress will now be reported on in 2022 through recommendations in the Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

4

Extending "Opportunities for All' programme

The Scottish Government should consider introducing flexibility to relax the age restrictions, extending the eligibility for criteria within ‘Opportunities for All’ for Early Service Leavers.

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Scottish Government update, 2019

The age eligibility relating to ‘Opportunities for All’ has been extended up to the age of 29.

Scottish Government update, 2020

Work has continued throughout 2020 and recommendation has now been assessed as fully met.

5

Early Service Leaver pilot scheme

The Scottish Government and the Third Sector should consider piloting a Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) programme aimed at Early Service Leavers.

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Scottish Government update, 2019

The Scottish Government is providing funding of at least £6.1 million in 2018/19 for Phase 8 of the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) employability programme. This programme has a specific focus on the Early Service Leavers and since 2016 there have been 28 veterans starting on the programme.

Scottish Government update, 2020

The pilot has now completed, and Early Service Leavers and veterans are eligible for support through CJS.

6

Incentives for Employers

The Scottish Government, in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, Local Authorities and the Third Sector, should consider options to extend recruitment incentives so that they encourage employers to recruit Early Service Leavers.

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Notes

Progress will now be reported on in 2022 through recommendations in the Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

7

Employability Fund

The Scottish Government, Local Authorities and Skills Development Scotland should consider options for targeting the Employability Fund, and future employability services, at Service Leavers.

-

Notes

From 2021 it was agreed that progress against this recommendation would be reported on through recommendations in the 2020 Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

This recommendation was considered to be implemented in 2025 through implementation of the subsequent outcome-focussed recommendation that it was assessed within.

8

Modern Apprenticeships

The Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland should consider actively promoting Modern Apprenticeships to Early Service Leavers and to their potential employers.

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Scottish Government update, 2019

This is continuing but has largely been superseded by later initiatives. In 2017, we published “Seven things you need to know about Scottish Apprenticeships”. Scottish Apprenticeship week (SAW) is held annually and is used to showcase what is on offer across the employment spectrum in Scotland to both employers and those interested in Apprenticeships.

A dedicated webpage for veterans was launched on My World of Work (My WoW) during SAW 2018. Skills Development Scotland and the Careers Transition Partnership are also promoting Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships to Early Service Leavers, veterans and their families.

Scottish Government update, 2020

Work has continued throughout 2020 and recommendation has now been assessed as fully met.

9

Invest in Young People Groups

The Scottish Government should utilise Regional Invest in Young People Groups across Scotland to promote young Service Leavers amongst prospective employers.

-

Notes

From 2021 it was agreed that progress against this recommendation would be reported on through recommendations in the 2020 Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

This recommendation was considered to be implemented in 2025 through implementation of the subsequent outcome-focussed recommendation that it was assessed within.

10

Youth employment initiatives

The Scottish Government, working with devolved partners and engaging with the UK Government and Armed Forces, should identify opportunities and consider options for marketing its youth employment initiatives to Early and young Service Leavers, which might include targeted presentations, tailored leaflets, accessible on-line information and wider campaigns to raise awareness of the support available.

--

Notes

Progress will now be reported on in 2022 through recommendations in the Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

11

Engage with employers

The Scottish Government should use its existing mechanisms for engaging with employers to promote the employment of, and work placements for, Service Leavers within its broader employability policy framework and delivery infrastructure.

-

Notes

From 2021 it was agreed that progress against this recommendation would be reported on through recommendations in the 2020 Employment Skills and Learning - Positive Futures report.

This recommendation was considered to be implemented in 2025 through implementation of the subsequent outcome-focussed recommendation that it was assessed within.

12

Personal Development Plan

The Scottish Government, its agencies and Scottish Local Authorities should work with the UK Government to ensure that the new Personal Development Plan and related course modules are relevant to those settling in Scotland.

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Notes

Personal Development Plans have now been superseded by the concept of Lifelong Learning and Personnel Development Records. This recommendation will no longer be reported on.

13

Access to medical records

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland should retain the current procedures whereby GPs in Scotland retrieve Service Leavers’ medical records but also keep them under review.

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Notes

This recommendation will now be assessed through recommendation 2 in the 2022 Health and Wellbeing - Positive Futures report.

14

Veterans and Families Research Institute

The Scottish Government should engage with the Veterans and Families Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University to help identify evidence needs and ensure research into transition in Scotland is also included in future programmes.

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Scottish Government update, 2019

Officials have met representatives from Anglia Ruskin. In addition the Scottish Government continues to engage with organisations which conduct research on Transition – for example the Forces in Mind Trust and the Families Federations.

Scottish Government update, 2020

Work has continued throughout 2020 and recommendation has now been assessed as fully met.

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A very positive and productive meeting of Veterans In Custody Support Officers (VICSOs) from across the Scottish prison estate last week. 

Great to see so many support organisations including @sacroscotland, @ssafaofficial, @helpforheroes, Vector24, NOVA Scotland, and MOD Veterans Services all working together to support veterans in the justice system and their families.

The meeting was a powerful reminder that giving VICSOs the protected time they need to carry out their roles – as recommended in my 2024 report, Veterans and the Law - is key to sustaining and strengthening that support, and ultimately improving outcomes for those veterans.
A very positive and productive meeting of Veterans In Custody Support Officers (VICSOs) from across the Scottish prison estate last week. Great to see so many support organisations including @sacroscotland, @ssafaofficial, @helpforheroes, Vector24, NOVA Scotland, and MOD Veterans Services all working together to support veterans in the justice system and their families. The meeting was a powerful reminder that giving VICSOs the protected time they need to carry out their roles – as recommended in my 2024 report, Veterans and the Law - is key to sustaining and strengthening that support, and ultimately improving outcomes for those veterans.
1 day ago
I very much welcome the publication of the National Framework for the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Pathway. This is a significant milestone. 

I have consistently advocated for the development and delivery of equitable and effective mental health and wellbeing services for veterans across Scotland. My annual assessment reports have stressed the importance I place on this. This is an issue that is frequently raised with me as I engage with veterans and those that support them. I hope and expect that the phased implementation of the pathway will continue to be a priority in the months ahead. A key principle of the next phase must be ensuring that no veteran in need is left without access to support.

I am committed to doing everything I can to support this important work.

You can find the framework at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
I very much welcome the publication of the National Framework for the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Pathway. This is a significant milestone. I have consistently advocated for the development and delivery of equitable and effective mental health and wellbeing services for veterans across Scotland. My annual assessment reports have stressed the importance I place on this. This is an issue that is frequently raised with me as I engage with veterans and those that support them. I hope and expect that the phased implementation of the pathway will continue to be a priority in the months ahead. A key principle of the next phase must be ensuring that no veteran in need is left without access to support. I am committed to doing everything I can to support this important work. You can find the framework at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
3 days ago
Last week was Debt Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight the challenges many face with managing finances, and recognise available support. 

My latest blog revisits some of the insights from my Veterans and Finance report and spotlights some of the positive work being done in the money advice sector, including specialist support for veterans affected by money worries, debt, or gambling. 

Read more at the link in my bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
Last week was Debt Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight the challenges many face with managing finances, and recognise available support. My latest blog revisits some of the insights from my Veterans and Finance report and spotlights some of the positive work being done in the money advice sector, including specialist support for veterans affected by money worries, debt, or gambling. Read more at the link in my bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
4 days ago
Plenty of considered collaboration took place yesterday at a consultation event in Edinburgh on the delivery of VALOUR - a new national programme led by the UK Government to make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve.

Good to see representatives from Local Authorities, Health Boards, Scottish Government and the charity sector sharing their expertise to help shape the initiative. 

Read more about VALOUR at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
Plenty of considered collaboration took place yesterday at a consultation event in Edinburgh on the delivery of VALOUR - a new national programme led by the UK Government to make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve. Good to see representatives from Local Authorities, Health Boards, Scottish Government and the charity sector sharing their expertise to help shape the initiative. Read more about VALOUR at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
5 days ago
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