Armed Forces Community Covenant

West Lothian Council can provide housing information and advice to everyone, whether you are a council tenant, an owner/occupier, a lodger, living at home, privately renting, a housing association tenant or even a landlord. The council have a comprehensive web page at www.westlothian.gov.uk/housing where you will find information about council housing and how to apply for it, private renting accommodation and housing associations. You can view their housing options information at Housing Options. If you have any questions about housing you can email Housing and Building Services at customer.service@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window) or if you would rather speak to someone you can contact the Advice Shop on 01506 283000. West Lothian Council have the following policy in relation to Armed Forces Veterans:

Ex-Service Personnel who have been seriously injured in action are given a high priority for adapted homes. This will be achieved through assessment of medical and other applicable housing needs. Employment/residence connected to service will be considered in the same way as civilian employment/residence. This ensures Service Leavers can choose to apply as homeless in the area in which they have served, and where their families may have become settled. Forces applicants may choose to advise when they are available for offer. This will prevent offers of housing being made before they receive notice of their discharge date.

Remember when speaking with these services let them know about your service history. 

If you wish to buy a home but cannot afford the total cost, there are a number of schemes that might be able to help you. The Forces Help to Buy Scheme enables Service Personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary (to a maximum of £25,000) to buy their first home or to move to another property on assignment or as their families' needs change. More information can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/forces-help-to-buy (opens new window). The Scottish Government operates shared equity schemes which can help you to buy a home that is for sale on the open market, or to buy a new build home from a housing association or local council. Support is also offered through the Help to Buy (Scotland) Scheme to purchase a new build property from a participating builder. Funding for these schemes is provided by the Scottish Government and you can find out more about them at www.mygov.scot/help-buying-home/ (opens new window)

When leaving the Armed Forces you may wish to rent privately. For comprehensive information about private renting in Scotland you can view the Scottish Governments guide on Private Residential Tenancies at: www.gov.scot/publications/private-residential-tenancies-tenants-guide/ (opens new window) . Homes for private rent can be found online through websites such as www.rightmove.co.uk (opens new window), www.citylets.co.uk (opens new window) and www.lettingweb.com (opens new window)

The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) (www.adviceasap.org.uk (opens new window)) provides free, impartial advice to members of the Armed Forces Community. You can also visit Housing Options Scotland for support through the military matters project (www.housingoptionsscotland.org.uk (opens new window)) or visit the Scottish Government website (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-housing-guide-people-leaving-armed-forces-ex-service-personnel-9781787811539/pages/5/ (opens new window))  for more information. Our Further Information section below also features links to charity organisations that can offer support and advice.

West Lothian Council's unique service, Access2employment (A2E), provides West Lothian residents with support and information on finding employment, training and education. Access2Employment offers a wide range of services including:

• Guidance on CV preparation
• Help with application forms
• Interview techniques advice
• Access to the latest vacancies and job search resources
• Advice on local training opportunities
• Free access to computers
• Information on funding to help you move into work

You can contact one of our advisors on 0800 032 9768 to get information and advice on all of the above. Alternatively, you can find out what services are available in your local area and how to access them by visiting www.westlothian.gov.uk/access2employment and clicking on the box for your area

SDS provides information, advice and guidance about employment and careers and work-based training programmes aimed at building career management skills. They support a wide range of pathways into work, including Modern Apprenticeships. 

For more information telephone 0800 9178000 or visit www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/local-national-work/west-lothian/ (opens new window)  There is also an online service, My World of Work (www.myworldofwork.co.uk (opens new window)), which can assist you through every stage of your working life. You can access information on a wide range of subjects, including choosing a career, learning and training, applying for jobs and making a career change. You will find information ranging from researching careers to building your CV. You can also access specific information and assistance for veterans and early Service Leavers through the dedicated page at www.careers.myworldofwork.co.uk/career-advice/get-advice-based-on-your-situation/support-for-armed-forces-leavers-and-veterans (opens new window)

Jobcentre Plus is committed to supporting Veterans, Service Leavers, Serving Personnel, their partners and families. It provides a number of programmes and services to help Jobseekers, unemployed people, those with disabilities and others who may need extra help in finding work.

Jobcentre Plus works closely with the Ministry of Defence and other partners to provide support to Service Leavers, including resettlement advice, job searches or training. They work closely with a range of partners, including Veterans First Point, Glasgow Help for Heroes, Poppy Scotland, and Right Management. The organisation has Armed Forces Champions based in each Jobcentre Plus district. Job search support and advice for those who have left the service is available in all job centres, and specialist advisers can assist Service Leavers and their families in overcoming more complex barriers to employment.

You can visit your nearest Jobcentre Plus for help with finding a job and information on any benefits you and your family might be entitled to, or visit the website at www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/entitlement (opens new window)

You can search for your nearest Jobcentre Plus office by visiting find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/search.php (opens new window)

You can find further information about the support services available at www.mygov.scot/finding-a-job/overview (opens new window)

StartScotland will work with you to give you all the tools you need to help you get ready for work. You will work with your dedicated personal adviser who will be with your every step of the way - working through your barriers and challenges to help identify what support you need to help you make the transition back into the workplace.

You will get:

• a personalised employment action plan to help you meet your goals while giving you access to a wide range of specialist support if required such as health and wellbeing, basic skills, personal development and lots more
• the opportunity to gain accredited and vocational qualifications such as Level 1 City and Guilds in ICT, customer services and much more
• support to help you build on your existing skills and attributes to develop a professionally formatted CV
• help with searching and applying for jobs
• help with preparing for an interview such as interview coaching and conducting mock interviews
• the chance to take part in suitable work placements, work trials or volunteering opportunities
• the self-confidence you need to progress in work

For further information call 0800 049 7061 or visit www.startscotland.scot/your-journey (opens new window)

You can apply to work for your local council across a wide range of job roles and services. Visit My Job Scotland to view, search and apply for jobs in your area at www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/ (opens new window)

REFA exist to provide life-long, life changing support, jobs and training opportunities to Service Leavers and Veterans, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving. Founded in 1885 and operating across the UK, they have the specialist knowledge and understanding to bridge the gap between military life and civilian employment. For further information visit www.forcesemployment.org.uk (opens new window)

When you leave the Armed Forces you may not want to step in to work immediately. You may instead want to do some volunteer work.

Volunteering can be a great and stress free way to learn a new skill or trade that you can then put to good use in your chosen career. Volunteering can also be fun and rewarding. It can be hugely beneficial for individuals as well as communities. It can increase health and well-being, reduce loneliness and social isolation and help foster a greater sense of belonging in your own community.

There are many ways in which you can volunteer in West Lothian. The Voluntary Sector Gateway is committed to providing a gateway into volunteering for residents of West Lothian. They can help you find the ideal volunteering opportunity to suit your requirements.

For further information visit www.voluntarysectorgateway.org/volunteering.html (opens new window)

For information about your local schools go to https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/31836/Find-a-School-or-Nursery where you will find out what schools are in your catchment area and how to apply to these schools. There is also information on applying for schools outside your catchment area. You can also visit www.westlothian.gov.uk/education where you can find further information about the schools in West Lothian as well as nurseries and childcare, community centres and adult education.

Funded early learning and childcare is free to parents with children aged 3-4 years. It is funded by the Scottish Government. For further information and to claim your funded early years learning and childcare place visit the council's website at www.westlothian.gov.uk/apply-for-pre-school-and-school-places. More information about the scheme is available at https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help (opens new window)

If you are eligible for certain benefits, you may also be entitled to funding for early learning and childcare if your child has turned 2. You can find more on entitlement and eligibility to childcare for children aged between 2 and 3 years old at www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare (opens new window)

Once your child qualifies for early learning and childcare, they will stay qualified.

There are differences in the ages children start school across the UK. In Scotland children start in Primary 1 and move up to the next class each year through to Primary 7. All children in Primaries 1-3 receive free school meals. Children move up to secondary (high) school automatically after primary school. The secondary school curriculum has two phases - completion of a broad general education from S1-S3 and a senior phase from S4-S6.

The school year is broken into three terms which will include public holidays and may include a mid-term break (schools will be closed for one or two weeks). Term dates will vary depending on the local authority area.

You can find term dates for your local school at https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/schoolholidays

Additional support for learning in Scotland is different to special educational needs in England. In Scotland we understand that children from Service Families may need additional support to overcome barriers to learning which may arise because of the nature of their parent's work. We have a Scottish advice service for additional support for learning, where you will find useful information about when your child might be entitled to extra support. This can be found at www.enquire.org.uk/ (opens new window)

Contact the local authority as early as possible if your child has significant or complex learning needs. Educators will want to begin communication with the family and child before a school move, if possible.

Additional information can be located on the Forces Children's Education website www.forceschildrenseducation.scot (opens new window) . This is a dedicated site for Armed Forces families that provides information about schools and communities and has links to local authority sites.

The Scottish Qualifications Framework helps people of all ages and circumstances to access the education and training that is appropriate to them over their lifetime. It can help you plan your learning and develop progression routes to follow, whatever your situation may be.

SCQF has recently undertaking a project to map the qualifications of Veterans to the SCQF (Scotland's Lifelong Learning Framework) - initially focusing on infantry soldiers.

Some of the qualifications you gained while serving may be recognised on the SCQF or may be English qualifications and therefore you may be concerned whether they will be recognised and accepted in Scotland by employers or by educational institutions. Full details can be found at https://scqf.org.uk/support/support-for-individuals/support-for-veterans/ (opens new window) 

If you are interested in starting a college or university course, there are many options to choose from both in West Lothian and Edinburgh.

West Lothian College is based in Livingston and offers a wide range of further and higher education courses to develop skills for employment and to enhance career prospects for those already in work.

For general enquiries telephone 01506 418181.

For information about courses go to www.west-lothian.ac.uk/courses/ (opens new window)

Oatridge College is based in West Lothian between the towns of Livingston and Linlithgow. It is a partner in Scotland's Rural College. The creation of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) took place in 2012 by merging the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) with three respected partners Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges.

The SRUC exists to deliver comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland's land-based industries, founded on world class and sector-leading research, education and consultancy.

For general enquiries telephone 0131 535 4000.

You will find information about courses at Oatridge College at www.sruc.ac.uk/ (opens new window)

Edinburgh College is one of Scotland's biggest colleges. It caters for approximately 19,000 students and has 4 campuses in Edinburgh and Midlothian. You can choose from over 700 vocational and academic courses from access to degree level and continuing professional development to help you achieve your future career ambitions. Edinburgh College provides flexible learning opportunities to suit all learning needs.

For further information about Edinburgh College go to www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/ (opens new window)

www.napier.ac.uk (opens new window)

Edinburgh has four universities. You can get information about the universities and the courses that they offer by visiting their web sites.

• Edinburgh Napier University  - www.napier.ac.uk (opens new window)
• Heriot-Watt University - www.hw.ac.uk (opens new window)
• Queen Margaret University - www.qmu.ac.uk (opens new window)
• The University of Edinburgh - www.ed.ac.uk (opens new window)

These are just some of the colleges and universities in the area. You can find out more information on each of them by visiting their websites. All of the organisations mentioned have shown support for our Armed Forces Community and some have admission routes specifically aimed at ex-Service Personnel.

West Lothian Council provides a free, impartial and confidential advice service for residents of West Lothian called the Advice Shop the service is provided to help the people of West Lothian with a focus on alleviating poverty and promoting inclusion and equality through advice, assistance and advocacy.

Fully trained advisors are available to speak to daily in the Bathgate Partnership Centre. The Advice Shop also holds regular outreach sessions and roadshows in towns across West Lothian. The Advice Shop provides advice, information and support on a variety of subjects including money and debt, benefits and energy advice.

The Advice Shop is open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5.00pm and on Fridays from 8.30am to 4.00pm.

For further information or to speak to one of the advisors telephone 01506 283000 or fill in the contact form at www.westlothian.gov.uk/advice-shop-referral

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is another organisation, based in Livingston, which offers advice, support and advocacy services. Though similar to the Advice Shop in many ways, in addition to money and debt and benefits advice, it also offers advice relating to work, law and courts, family issues, consumer matters, immigration and health.

For further information visit CAB at www.cabwestlothian.org.uk (opens new window)

The DWP is responsible for most welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. They deal with the administration of a range of working age, disability and ill-health benefits. As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, the DWP has initiatives that help current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families access Jobcentre Plus services. This includes having an Armed Forces Champion in every Jobcentre Plus district that ensures that the DWP provides support that meets the needs of the Armed Forces Community.

For more information about the DWP and the Armed Forces visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobcentre-plus-services-for-the-armed-forces-and-their-families (opens new window)

When you have settled down in Scotland you should register your family with a local doctor (GP). Your GP will be able to care for your health conditions and provide treatment if you or a family member becomes unwell. Any prescriptions prescribed by your GP are free of charge.

All major towns and some larger villages in West Lothian have their own medical practices. You can find your medical practice at www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/gp-practices?la=s12000040 (opens new window)

You can find more information about how to register at www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/doctors/registering-with-a-gp-practice (opens new window)

Your family can get care, advice and treatment from NHS Scotland to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Dentists in West Lothian also provide free dental checks. You can find a dentist near you using the links at www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/receiving-nhs-dental-treatment-in-scotland (opens new window)

NHS 24 is Scotland's telephone service providing health advice 24 hours a day. The telephone service allows people who feel unwell or those caring for them to obtain health advice if it is not possible to wait until they can visit their GP when the practice is next open. You can call them on 111 if you are ill or need any health services. Alternatively you can also access their website at www.nhs24.scot (opens new window). The advice line is not intended as a substitute for obtaining an emergency ambulance service. For all life threatening emergencies you should still call 999.

There are other NHS services in the area and these can be found online at www.nhsinform.scot (opens new window)

NHS Scotland provides mental health services that offer a range of treatments and self-help advice for those experiencing mild, moderate or more complex mental health problems. The first point of call for accessing NHS care is usually your GP. You can discuss any issue with your GP, who can also arrange referral to more specialist services if that is necessary.

You can find more details regarding support and services at www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health (opens new window).

There is also a free and confidential 24-hour helpline available for you to talk about mental health, which family members or carers can use too. You can access this through Combat Stress at www.combatstress.org.uk/helpline (opens new window)

V1P Lothian is made up of Veteran peer support workers, clinicians, therapists and an administration team. They provide:

• Peer support worker led caseload management of welfare issues
• Mental health assessment and treatment with both psychiatry and psychology
• Self-referral through afternoon drop-in, phone and email (we also accept referrals through GPs and other agencies)
• Peer support worker led activities including fly fishing, city walks, music groups, archery, etc
• In-house clinics from Citizen's Advice Bureau, Veterans UK and Edinburgh Housing Advice Project (EHAP)

For further information visit VIP Lothian at www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk/drop-center/lothian (opens new window)

The Lothians Veterans Centre is a charity that was designed to meet the need for a Veterans drop-in centre with no appointment necessary allowing complex needs to be catered for in an environment which is familiar and friendly.

For further information visit www.lothiansveteranscentre.org.uk (opens new window)

To help tackle isolation and loneliness, there are a number of Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs, including one in Livingston, for further details please visit www.afvbc.net (opens new window)

There is also the Military Museum Scotland Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club. Generally they meet on the last Sunday of the month. They have a Facebook page and it is recommended that you check the page for up-to-date information.

A consortium of organisations called Unforgotten Forces, which includes Poppyscotland, has been awarded funding the Aged Veterans Fund to undertake a 3-year programme of support for older Veterans over the age of 65 and their families in Scotland. The money will be used to improve the coordination of existing provision and introduce new services aimed at supporting older Veterans.

Unforgotten Forces is a partnership between 16 leading organisations that will deliver a range of new services and enhancements in areas including advice, access to healthcare, social isolation, respite, along with creative activities and events for those in care settings. The consortium has been awarded the funding to undertake this ambitious programme of work.

Poppyscotland is the lead partner and in addition to coordinating the consortium, the funding will enable Poppyscotland to offer more of its popular and hugely beneficial Poppy Breaks to older Veterans.

The portfolio includes services such as advice provision, support for those on the NHS pathway with transport being provided to appointments. Loneliness and isolation will be tackled through befriending, respite breaks and a newly created day centre.

For more information about Unforgotten Forces visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-help/advice/unforgotten-forces (opens new window)

The VWS are tri-service and part of the MOD, providing lifelong support to Serving Personnel, Veterans and their families. They specialise in War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation claims. VWS also provide advice and practical help where there is a welfare need. For further information email Veterans-UK-VWS-Scot-NI@mod.gov.uk (opens new window)

There are a number of ex-Service/Regimental Associations who meet within the Region, including, but not limited to:

• Association of Wrens and Women of the Royal Naval Service Edinburgh & District Branch
• Royal Artillery Association West Lothian Branch
• Royal Naval Association West Lothian Branch
• Royal Scots Association East of Scotland Branch

NB: most have web/social media pages for up-to-date information and contact details.

There are 2 ARC in West Lothian.

• ARC, Beveridge Square, Dedridge, Livingston EH54 6QF, which is home to 278 (Lowland) Battery 105 Regiment Royal Artillery and 243 Provost Company 1 Royal Military Police
• ARC, Torphichen Street, Bathgate EH48 4HH, which is home to A Company (Bathgate) Detachment 6 SCOTS

West Lothian has a number of Cadet Forces Units within including:

• Army Cadet Forces: Squadrons in Bathgate, Broxburn, Linlithgow and Livingston
• Air Training Cadets: Platoons in Bathgate, Broxburn, Linlithgow, and Livingston

The nearest Sea Cadet unit is located at South Queensferry.