A major review into the veteran welfare services for veterans has been announced by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
The review will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of welfare services and make recommendations for improvement, and has been commissioned following multiple changes and advances in veterans’ care over the last decade.
Support which is being looked at includes services such as the Veterans Welfare Service, which comes under the banner of Veterans UK. It provides one-to-one support to veterans and their families through a network of welfare managers across the UK. The Defence Transition Service, which supports military personnel as they move into civilian life, is also part of the review.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said: “We recognise that supporting veterans to access appropriate support is critical to this government’s success in making the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran.
“This review will enable us to better align the workings of a range of support services, with the needs of the veterans community, and enhance the quality of the services veterans are offered.”
Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families Dr Andrew Murrison said: “We are eternally grateful for the service of all our veterans it’s only right that we provide them with the support they deserve. This is why I and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs have called for a review into the welfare provisions for veterans.
“This is in no way a reflection of the efforts of every one of our fantastic teams, who are working so hard to provide enduring support, but part of our ongoing commitment to improving our offer for our serving personnel, veterans and their families.”
The joint OVA and MOD review will be conducted by an independent civil servant, who will be supported by a joint secretariat from the MOD and Cabinet Office. The review will focus on examining each organisation’s performance and practices, identifying areas for improvement and enhancing efficiency.
The review is expected to take three months, and will report back to the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, with recommendations for the future role of welfare support and provision of services. Following the completion of the review, MOD and OVA will develop an action plan to address the findings and recommendations, with a focus on implementing meaningful change that will enhance service effectiveness and delivery.
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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