We are committed to providing fair and accessible services to all members of our community. This includes members/reservists of the armed forces and their families.
To show our commitment we have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant (Gov.uk). This is in addition to the Community Covenant that, as part of the Fife Partnership, we made a pledge to in 2011.
By signing up to these covenants we agree to make sure that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly, and will not be disadvantaged in accessing public services due to their military service.
In particular, the Covenant addresses that we will:
- provide support to the spouses and partners of serving personnel who often face challenges when seeking employment.
- acknowledge the specific challenge and commit to meet the housing and educational needs of service families as these can also be different from those of the general public.
- as an employer, we will provide and support current employees who are members of the Reserve Forces.
As part of the Covenant the armed forces community are also encouraged to do as much as they can to support the communities they live in and promote activities which help integrate the service community into civilian life.
Other support
"At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them."
Every year, on the 11 November at 11am we come together on Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day, to remember the people who have died in wars. It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.
As a council we observe the two minutes silence on 11th November and our councillors and Provost attend local services on Remembrance Sunday, this is usually the second Sunday in November.
Poppy Scotland and The Royal British Legion also provide vital support for service families, veterans and those currently serving.
Useful links
The Scottish Veterans Fund 2020 is now open for bids from projects that improve the lives of former service personnel and their families. This year, bids from projects that are rising to the challenge of safely providing support for veterans and their families despite the current restrictions are also being encouraged.
Applications forms and guidance are available on the Veterans Scotland website and applications close on 30 November 2020.
Bids received for the Scottish Veterans Fund are assessed by an independent panel which is selected and chaired by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner.
We're committed to supporting veterans and to help them secure settled accommodation after being discharged from the Armed Forces.
Our properties are allocated using a points system and if you are being discharged from the Armed Forces or can no longer stay in army accommodation you will be given points. Click here to apply.
All through our lives we live with and manage change. Our staff in nursery, primary and secondary schools have an understanding of the challenges facing armed forces children on the move. They are committed to ensuring that your child experiences a smooth transition that reduces any interruption to their educational progress.
Whether it is for the first or the sixth time, moving house and school can be a significant challenge for children and young people. The transition can offer new experiences, opportunities and friendships but may also represent leaving people, places and things that were important and familiar. Moving can also be hard work, stressful and demanding for you as parents, especially if you are leaving extended family members, childcare supports, jobs and a house or town you have been settled in.
There are usually lots of practicalities to sort out, plan and organise. Ensuring that children are settled and positive throughout the change process is a key priority for parents and one which our schools will do their best to support.
Fife Council’s Education and Children's Services Directorate has well established links with the military bases in the area, Leuchars Station and RN Rosyth. Our schools work closely with military welfare offices to ensure that the children of service families are well supported when they move in or out of Fife.
