Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report outlining how the Armed Force Community Covenant was a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community. It was intended to complement the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlined the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces at the local level.

This report identified Rotherham’s position in relation to the Armed Forces Community Covenant (AFCC) and further outlined the reasons for committing to a covenant and what actions were needed to add substance to make it beneficial to those it was assisting. The Council would lead on AFCC but many of the partner agencies who had a role to play in the initiative had already been contacted.  The aim was that agencies agreed to be part of the AFCC and start to look at existing protocols and policies to see if they met the needs of the clients.

Brian James, NHS Rotherham, reported that his organisation was checking that all their systems and processes were attuned to supporting people from the armed forces but not that they received priority treatment.

RDaSH was also involved from a mental health aspect.

It may have implications for commissioning which would need to be reflected.

Agreed:-  That respective organisations discuss as to what commitment they would be able to give to the Covenant.