The Armed Forces Covenant

Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation, founded on the unique obligations and sacrifices of those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces, that they and their families should be treated fairly.

The Armed Forces Community includes the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Merchant Naval Seafarers, veterans, families of current service personnel and veterans, as well as bereaved families.

A veteran is a person who has served one full day in uniform, or a Merchant Naval Seafarer, who has deployed in support of UK military operations. They may have been a regular service person, a reservist or they may have completed National Service.

The Armed Forces Covenant website provides a wealth of information and sources of help for the Armed Forces community.

The Covenant Legal Duty is a legal obligation on certain public bodies, which includes local authorities, governing bodies of certain state schools, various NHS bodies, and other organisations to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when carrying out certain functions in healthcare, education and housing.

Highland Covenant Partnership

The Highland Armed Forces and Veterans’ Community Covenant Partnership brings together stakeholders from across Highland and in some cases Scotland. It works to support the Armed Forces community in Highland by ensuring that the delivery of services pays due regard to the Covenant principles and identifies and discusses matters relevant to the community.

It meets twice a year and has the following membership:

  • 3 Scots and 7 Scots, Royal Regiment of Scotland
  • Highland Council
  • Highlife Highland
  • NHS Highland
  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  • University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Police Scotland
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
  • Royal British Legion
  • SSAFA
  • Veterans Scotland
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Skills Development Scotland
  • NatureScot

Highland Armed Forces Champion

Armed Forces Champions are appointed in a range of organisations to act as ambassadors for the local Armed Forces community and to promote awareness and understanding of the Covenant. The current Champion for Highland Council is Councillor Leslie-Anne Niven who acts as a focal point for matters relating to the Armed Forces Covenant in the Highlands and seeks to ensure that the Highland Council applies the principles of the Covenant.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is both a charity and a Non-Departmental Public Body. They deliver high impact programmes, including administration of the £10 million Armed Forces Covenant Fund, each year.

The fund has four broad themes:

  • non-core healthcare services for veterans

  • removing barriers to family life

  • extra support, both in and after service, for those that need help

  • measures to integrate military and civilian communities and allow the Armed Forces community to participate as citizens