The Armed Forces Covenant
Living in the Highlands
The Scottish Government has produced a guide for service personnel and their families which provides information on a range of services, such as housing, education, healthcare, employment and training and benefits and social care.
Housing
We are committed to supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families in accessing social housing and other housing options across the Highlands.
Members of the Armed Forces and veterans have several housing options unique to them.
Other housing options exist for members of the Armed Forces and veterans community. Many schemes such as the LIFT New Supply, Open Market Shared Equity Scheme and Mid-Market Rent include veterans as a priority group.
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact us as soon as possible.
Money and Benefits
Financial top tips for service personnel gives help on credit ratings, mortgages, loans, insurance, and mobile phone contracts.
If you need help with your application for Universal Credit, contact:
If you prefer to talk to someone in person, then the following organisations offer advice on money management and other practical matters including benefits, pensions, housing and employment.
- Highland Council Welfare Team offers free, confidential, and impartial support to maximise and manage your income. They can assist and support you with the applications for a wide range of benefits, entitlements and payments. They offer home visits and service point visits across the Highland Council area.
- Armed Services Advice Project offers face to face advice in many areas across Scotland. Their trained specialist advisers offer information, advice, and casework support. In Highland this service is delivered by Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey, Nairn and Moray Citizens Advice Bureau and advisers are based at Nairn CAB. Please call 01667 456 677 or email Nairn Citizens Advice Bureau, if you would like to speak to an advisor.
Schools and Learning
Children and young people from Armed Forces families are supported through the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure they suffer no disadvantage in their learning and education.
The Military Liaison Group (Education) provides a unique multi-agency and third sector partnership that works with children and young people, their families, education settings and specialist services to ensure equity and equality so they suffer no disadvantage in their education due to being from a military family and can thrive to be and do their very best.
Education System
The Scottish Government has produced a guide to give families an overview of how the education system in Scotland works and help you identify some of the key areas where there may be differences.
Enrolment in Highland
Please see Information on Schools in Highland. Armed Forces families may enrol at any time during the school year. Please get in touch with your intended setting at the earliest opportunity and let them know you are from an Armed Forces family. If you cannot provide a permanent address at the time of enrolment, you are entitled to use the Unit Welfare Office address as a temporary measure.
Additional Support for Children and Young People
Information is available on services for children and families and additional support available. If your child or young person is currently on a waiting list for a specialist service provider, undergoing assessment or is currently receiving support it would be helpful to identify as being from an Armed Forces family. This will ensure they are not disadvantaged when moving to a new authority or education setting outside Highland.
Communication during Deployment or Parental Absence
We want to make sure your child or young person is supported as needed in their education setting during times of deployment or parental absence. Please let your education setting know so they are aware and can provide extra support if, and when, needed.
Health Care
If you’d like to find out about support for Armed Forces and veteran community patients, please visit the Armed Forces and Veterans page on the NHS Highland website.