A guide to identifying vulnerability to
post service wefare difficulties
Compulsory discharges
PRE DISCHARGE
WELFARE INTERVIEW
All Compulsory Dischargees must have a resettlement
interview prior to discharge in order to develop a realistic resettlement
plan.
The interview should be supplemented by the
issue of the booklet Compulsory Discharges—A Welfare Guide
(AC 64189). Areas to be addressed should include:
— Post discharge living arrangements.
— The individual's financial position.
— DSS and welfare support outside the
Services.
When conducting the interview UWOs/UROs/RCMOs
should be aware of the general risk factors which contribute towards
to post Service difficulties:
— Alcohol—Research indicates
that many homeless ex-Service personnel have alcohol related problems.
— Social Isolation—particularly break
up, or lack of, family relationships.
— Inadequate/fragile post discharge
living arrangements.
HIGHER RISK
CATEGORIES AND
FACTORS
To assist in identifying potential vulnerability,
higher risk factors include:
Type of Individual
— Under 21 who have served under four months.
— Aged 35-50 undergoing relationship breakdowns.
— Those with fragile post service living
arrangements (eg single personnel returning to a parental home).
— Those intending to try and find work
in London.
Historical Factors
— Individual's lifestyle (eg heavy drinkers).
— Frequent periods of detention.
— Inability to cope with daily living.
Short Term Indicators
Individuals who may have:
— Become either voluntarily or involuntarily
socially excluded from their peer group.
— Depression/anxiety.
— Financial difficulties.
— Relationship difficulties.
— Rejected the military lifestyle.
ACTION TO
BE TAKEN— Warn
the individual of his/her potential vulnerability that could culminate
in homelessness.
— Assist the individual in immediate accommodation
arrangements.
— Encourage the individual to complete
the contact proformas in the Welfare Guide.
— Where appropriate, encourage the individual
to contact the Prince's Trust. (Section 6 of the Welfare Guide.)
— If appropriate, and with the individual's
permission, facilitate support from the Regimental Headquarters,
The Royal British Legion, SSAFA Forces Help.
BACKGROUND
Personnel being Compulsorily Discharged prematurely
from the Army leave the Army at extremely short notice without
having the opportunity to plan their transition into civilian
life. Consequently they could be more vulnerable to a range of
social and welfare difficulties which could culminate in homelessness.
Research and experience tells us that homelessness
is not inevitable and that it is particularly difficult to spot
those who could become homeless at a later date. It has been proved
that very few Service personnel become homeless on discharge—generally
it happens many years later. However, the MoD recognises that
it has a part to play in preventing future welfare difficulties
and homelessness of its ex-Service personnel.
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