The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
It covers two key principles:
All local authorities in mainland UK and over 4,000 companies have now signed the Covenant, including AFF in our capacity as an employer.
To see the list of companies, click here.
Watch an explanation of the Armed Forces Covenant in 60 seconds.
Back to topThe Covenant applies to all members of the Armed Forces community, wherever you live.
It is interpreted in different ways locally depending on local needs, including in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, this means there is no standard delivery model, which can be frustrating as families’ experiences of the Covenant vary.
Back to topThe Covenant provides support in a number of key areas for Army families including:
It also aims to help Reserves and Service leavers too, offering support with maintaining or changing your career.
For the most up-to-date changes that the Covenant has affected, read the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report.
Back to topAs part of our core work, AFF collects families’ issues. This evidence is used to open up discussions with policy makers in central and local government, and with private companies, about things that AFF believes should be changed.
We also work with Defence Relationship Management (DRM), the part of MOD responsible for recruiting corporate Covenant signatories and helping them live up to the commitments they have made.
Some examples of how AFF has used the Covenant as a lever for change are:
Although not a legal document, the Secretary of State for Defence is required by law to present an annual report on the Covenant to Parliament each year.
Other groups committed to the Covenant include:
In 2015, a new Covenant Fund was launched to support the delivery of the Covenant principles. The Fund is available twice a year and applicants can bid for a ‘small grant’ worth up to £20,000 or for a ‘large grant’ worth up to £300,000. For more information, visit www.covenantfund.org.uk
Back to topVisit the contact us page for details. If you are experiencing disadvantage when trying to access commercial products or services, please contact AFF’s Allowances & Money Specialist, Claire Hallam.
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