To support the successful delivery of the FCSE project, partners combined their different skills, knowledge and expertise around training programmes, digital technology and signposting tools to produce a comprehensive and cohesive package of training and materials.
These are available to access free via the Forces Connect Toolkit on Knowledge Hub.
New training sessions
In 2022 the Armed Forces Covenant will be enshrined in law , resulting in a legal require for Public Bodies, including Local Authorities to ensure 'due regard' for the Armed Forces Community in a number of key areas.
If you would like to find out more we are delighted that the receipt of an additional grant from the Armed Forces Covent Trust Fund has enabled further live/online training sessions to be offered in the following areas:
- Hampshire
- Kent and Medway
- Medway
- Surrey
- Sussex
Please click on the training below to see if the course you are interested in may be available.
For more information please email fcse@surreycc.gov.uk
Armed Forces awareness training for frontline/customer facing staff
A 45 minute briefing for Contact Centre and frontline staff who deal directly with people, either face-to-face or by phone. It is designed to provide a snapshot of the Armed Forces community, explain how to effectively signpost them to help and emphasise the fundamental importance of asking the question, "Have you or a family member served?".
Sessions will be running January - June 2022 (dates tbc) in Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Surrey and Sussex. To register your interest please email fcse@surreycc.gov.uk
Editable presentations can be accessed through the Forces Connect Toolkit.
Service Champions Training
A Service Champion is an individual who champions the Armed Forces Community within their organisation. Through training and development they understand the culture of the armed forces community and use it to design their services.
This live online course helps them to:
- Better understand how to engage with the Armed Forces Community
- Understand how they can support their organisation to help this group
- Understand how they can gain support from other services /charities
- Reinforce the integration between communities.
They will also receive a Resource Folder to use within their organisation.
Editable presentations can be accessed through the Forces Connect Toolkit.
If you are based in East or West Sussex, Kent and Medway, Surrey or Hampshire then please contact the NHS Armed Forces Networks: Sussex and Kent and Medway on scdt.admin@nhs.net for the next available course.
Elected Councillor Armed Forces Champion training
A two hour course which enables elected councillors and Covenant lead officers to raise their profile and in so doing connect better with the Armed Forces community.
New dates for this training are currently being arranged for 2022. Please contact fcse@surreycc.gov.uk to express your interest and to find out more.
Editable presentations can be accessed through the Forces Connect Toolkit.
Armed Forces awareness e-Learning
FCSE promotes the Armed Forces Awareness e-learning packages initially developed by the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Covenant Partnership funded by Warwickshire County Council and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund. The course highlights the issues facing the forces community and highlights ways to provide support.
The training can be accessed via the MoD website.
FCSE Employee Mentoring
A CPD accredited employee mentoring course developed to support HR, recruiting professionals and line managers to achieve a greater understanding of the armed forces culture and the issues military personnel can face when transitioning from service life. The course provides advice on setting up mentoring and buddy systems using existing veteran and reservist employees as mentors.
Signposting Pathways and Mobile App
A number of county specific Armed Forces signposting pathways (topic based information sheets with contact details used for signposting members of the Armed Forces community to relevant sources of help and support) for key services have been developed. These have been made available digitally via the free 'Forces Connect' mobile app available on Android and Apple which enables users to access the support they need in four simple clicks.
For more information on the app, including adding new regions, please email fcse@surreycc.gov.uk.
School Admissions Video
This School Admissions Video (YouTube) (plus a shorter version (YouTube), helps to address the challenging and often stressful process Armed Forces families face from frequent moves, by setting out the criteria and explaining in straightforward terms the process Forces families are required to undertake when applying for a school place and how to make an appeal if they are unsuccessful in gaining their school of choice.