England toolkit
Toolkit
This is a practical resource that you can use, and it should provide you with all the information you need to identify a veteran and then link them to the help and support available.
The toolkit is divided into sections to make it easily accessible and so you can find the information and advice that’s most relevant to your organisation.
Download the Toolkit for England (PDF)
You can also watch a recorded training session, which explains in detail how the toolkit can be used.
In November 2022 a statutory duty was introduced which applies to specific bodies in the areas of Healthcare, Housing and Education to pay due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. This update provides further details as to what the Covenant Duty means.
Audit tool
We have created different versions of the audit tool, so you can select the one most relevant for your organisation. By completing the audit tool you will understand how well your housing service is meeting the needs of veterans, and what you can do to improve your approach by linking into the relevant sections of the toolkit.
The self-audit tool will give you a baseline position and then by using the resources within the toolkit you will have a clear plan on how your services can be developed to better meet the housing needs of veterans. These are all Word documents.
Audit Tool for Local Authorities
Audit Tool for Housing Associations
Audit Tool for Supported Housing Providers
Additional resources
We also have some practical resources you can use to improve your approach. Most of these are Word documents, which can be downloaded and tailored.
- Factsheet: This covers the housing options available to veterans. You can download and then tailor this for your organisation, to ensure you are providing personalised advice to veterans on the housing options available in your area.
- Personal Housing Plan: A bespoke personal housing plan for veterans. You can use this to ensure a tailored approach for veterans, providing them with all the information they need.
- Vulnerability Assessment: This can by used by local authorities when assessing vulnerability under the homeless legislation. It contains some useful pointers when considering if someone may be vulnerable as a result of having served in the Armed Forces.
- Defence Transition Service update: The Defence Transition Service (DTS) replaces the role of the Joint Service Housing Advice Office. This update provides details of how the DTS can assist serving personnel.
- Funding update: In December 2022 the Government announced just over £8.5 million of funding in order to ensure no veteran should sleep rough, and veteran homelessness is ended in 2023. This update provides more information.