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To meet this aim the station welfare team will provide
primary support to soldiers and their families to help alleviate the problems associated with military service.
How can we help?
The British Army Review in December 1996 suggested that
there are five key work areas for the Unit Welfare Office:
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Aiding Social Intergration. To
help individuals and families settle into new surroundings.
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Providing a helping service. UWO
staff are not counsellors. Neverless, by applying appropriate training coupled with experiance gained within and during careers
our staff can provide a confidential and helpfull support service.
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Providing information about the Army and
Unit. Keeping our families informed of what is going on in the Army and the Unit.
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Supporting Individuals and spouses during
periods of seperation. Seperation from familiar locations, families of origin, spouses, partners and children is
an inevitable feature of Army life. The UWO plays a critical role in enabling individuals and families to manage this seperation
in the best possible way.
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Liasing with other Army and associated agencies.
The key agency for the UWO is the Army Welfare Service (AWS). However we also liase with other agecies:
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Defence Housing Executive (DHE).
Hand over / Take over of Service Family Accommodation.
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Housing. Local housing authorities
and housing associations.
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UK Social Welfare Agencies. Department
of Social Security, Social Services, Probation Service etc.
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Child Support Agency (CSA). Forces
Focal Point.
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Benifits. Working Families Tax
Credit, Child Benifit, Sure Start, Maternity Grant etc.
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Service Children's Education. Department
of Education and Employment, Local Education Authorities, Local Schools etc.
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Department of Immigration and Nationality.
assistance with visa's etc.
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The Royal British Legion and SSAFA.
To ensure a high quality and consistent level of support
the UWO staff, all attend the "Supporting Army Personnel and their families" course at Bristol University. This is an informative
and intensive five day course that prepares us for the task of providing a responsive and confidential service to all station
soldiers and their families.
CONFIDENTIALITY
What does it mean? The effectiveness
of the Unit Welfare Office is directly related to the trust in which it is held by those who may have tio use it. What you
tell us is in the strictest confidence. We won't tell anyone what is discussed unless you want us to.
Exceptions to the Rule. There are,
of course, times when confidentiality may have to be broken because of the requirement of the law and the exceptional needs
of the armed forces. these are:
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Child Protection Issues.
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When there is risk of harm to you or others.
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If there is or likely to be a serious breach of
national security.
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To prevent a serious criminal act.
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If there is a serious contravention of military
law.
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If a soldier is no longer able to carry out his
or her duty.
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