Armed forces families
Information and support for family members and spouses of armed forces personnel.
Employment support
Employment offer
Oxfordshire County Council Employment Offer
Armed forces’ spouses and partners may not be deployed or have the same direct impacts; however, we recognise that being a spouse of someone in the armed forces can present unique challenges. We help and support those with a spouse in the services (including reservists) through our flexible and agile working arrangements.
Our offer to military spouses in addition to other benefits:
- A flexible working policy and leave policy to support with leave around deployments/mobilisations. Our Flexible Working Scheme offers every employee the opportunity to formally request permanent or temporary changes to their contracted hours or patterns or working. This may mean altering days and/or times they work to achieve a desired work-life balance or to fulfil caring responsibilities; it might also be a request to work from home on specific days.
- Management support in preparation for, during and after mobilisation of spouse or partner
- Agile working policy providing opportunities to work from different locations or from home.
- Find out more about our current vacancies here: Working for Oxfordshire County Council
Connect to Work
Connect to Work Oxfordshire is a free voluntary employment support programme that supports individuals facing health and wellbeing challenges, complex barriers to find employment or sustain their current role. Eligibility criteria include those who’ve served in the armed forces, current reservists, and the partners of those who have served or are serving. You can view the eligibility criteria and find out more on our Connect to Work page.
Forces Families Jobs (FFJ)
Forces Families Jobs is the free careers platform for family members of currently serving UK personnel, run for you by the tri-Service Families Federations.
Forces Employment Charity
Forces Employment Charity provides life-long, life-changing support across employment to all members of the Armed Forces community, and we support veterans in the justice system, providing tailored advice and assistance, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
Op ASCEND
Op ASCEND is a free service that supports veterans and their families in growing their careers. It’s run by the Forces Employment Charity and funded by government.
Whether you’re a veteran, a family member or an employer looking to attract skilled talent to your organisation, find out what signing up can do for you.
Armed forces access to Jobcentre Plus services
Royal British Legion Employment Support Guides
Smart Works
Smart Works is a UK-wide charity offering free interview-appropriate clothing and interview preparation support to all women who are unemployed or on a zero-hours contract.
Families Federations
RAF Families Federation
The RAF Families Federation exists to make life better for Service personnel and their families, at home and overseas. We provide reliable information on the topics that matter most to you, support you through to the resolution of problems resulting from Service and make long-term positive changes happen for the Armed Forces Community.
Army Families Federation
The Army Families Federation (AFF) is a strong, independent voice for Service personnel and their families, and a trusted source of advice and guidance.
Naval Families Federation
The Naval Families Federation (NFF) exists to give Royal Navy and Royal Marines families a voice and representation to the Ministry of Defence, Ministers, other Government Departments, the Chain of Command, and civilian service providers.
Health and Wellbeing
NHS Guidance for armed forces community
NHS Thames Valley
Find local GP surgeries, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals and NHS sight tests.
Access to continuing dental care
One of the best ways to maintain good oral health is via regular attendance at a dental practice on a ‘continuing care’ basis. Although not registered, many people attend a dental practice on a regular basis. Some have found it more difficult to achieve access or may have clinical needs that require more frequent attendance. The ICB’s Dental Access Service for vulnerable patients has been established to help certain patients access a dental practice on a continuing care basis, with a particular focus on the following groups:
- Looked-After Children
- Families of Armed Forces personnel
- Asylum Seekers and refugees
- Those with clinical/medical need that requires attendance at a dental practice
- Patients who need dental check-ups in support of hospital treatment
- Pregnant and nursing mothers
Healthwatch
We are an independent charity who work to make sure NHS health and social care leaders and other decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve the services that you use. We also provide help and advice if you have a question about local health services – please get in touch!
Defence Medical Welfare Service
Defence Medical Welfare Service
We provide support to Tri-Service Serving Personnel, Reservists, Veterans and their families/carers, Military Bereaved, The Merchant Navy across the UK. We also support NHS staff supporting Armed Forces Community patients.
Our support is independent and confidential. We can help with issues such as healthcare treatment, general wellbeing, stress and anxiety, mental health, substance misuse, financial worries, housing or homelessness concerns and employment challenges.
Togetherall
Togetherall is free for armed forces families. Togetherall is a digital mental health support service which is available online, 24/7, and is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly. Professionally trained Wall Guides monitor the community to ensure the safety and anonymity of all members. In addition to Togetherall's online community, you will have access to a wealth of useful resources and can work through tailored self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, sleep, weight management, depression and many more.
Oxfordshire Talking Therapies
Free NHS Talking Therapies service for Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire Mind
Oxfordshire Mind operates in over 50 locations across the county. Tailored support, available face to face and virtually, we are here to support you.
Maternity Services in Oxfordshire
Smokefree Oxon - Free, confidential stop smoking service in Oxfordshire
Children and Families Support
Oxfordshire Family Information Service
Oxfordshire Health Visiting Service
OXME.info - Services and information for children and young people in Oxfordshire, including a dedicated page for armed forces families (https://oxme.info/wellbeing/family-and-home/armed-forces-families)
OxfordshireCAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
SENDIASS Oxfordshire (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) - Free, impartial information, advice and support for parents with children who have special education needs and/or disabilities.
COMPASS (Children of Military Parents Accessing SEN Support) RAF Brize Norton
Peer support for SEND parents. Contact: BZN-COMPASS@mod.gov.uk
Little Troopers - Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting all children with one or both parents serving in the British Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve.
Oxfordshire Play Association Armed Forces Support Project - We current deliver a weekly Stay & Play and a fortnightly Saturdads session (2 hours) at RAF Benson, funded by RAF Benevolent Fund.
SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) support for military families
Army Parents Network - The aim of the Army Parents Network (APN) is to support Serving Army Parents and the Chain of Command by providing access to information, advice and peer support.
Here4YOUth Oxfordshire - An alcohol and drug service for anyone aged 8 – 18 living in Oxfordshire
Reading Force - At Reading Force, we are passionate about using books to bring Forces children and families closer together. Our shared reading initiative encourages families to read, talk, and scrapbook about a book, improving communication and enriching relationships with books and each other – one page at a time.
Financial Support
Cost of Living Support available in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire Crisis and Resilience Fund
Citizens Advice – Benefits and concessions for the armed forces, veterans and their families
Citizens Advice Oxfordshire - Citizens Advice Oxfordshire is an independent charity offering free, private, and unbiased advice on many topics like benefits, debt, and housing to residents of Oxfordshire.
We operate from six advice centres (Abingdon, Didcot, Henley, Thame, Oxford and Witney) and eight outreach hubs (Berinsfield, Chipping Norton, Cutteslowe, East Oxford (Lye Valley), Faringdon, South Oxford, Wallingford and West Oxford).
Royal British Legion Benefits, Debt and Money Advice (BDMA) Service - The Royal British Legion’s Benefits, Debt, and Money Advice (BDMA) team provides free, confidential advice and support to appeal benefits decisions and give advice for those in unmanageable debt.
Housing
SSAFA Supported Housing for Military Women and Children - Women of the Armed Forces community may find themselves without somewhere to live or require a place of safety. That's why we’ve got our Stepping Stone Home.
SSAFA Housing Advice - Practical housing advice and support to veterans and their dependents.
Royal British Legion Housing Guidance
Support for domestic abuse
Reducing The Risk Military Independent Domestic Violence Advisor - Reducing the Risk is working closely with Armed Forces communities across Oxfordshire to ensure that serving personnel, and their families, have clear and trusted routes to specialist domestic abuse support. We know that military life can bring unique pressures, and we are here to make sure no one faces abuse alone.
Our Military Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) has an understanding of both military and family life, providing confidential support and guidance and is able to connect individuals to ongoing support and advice.
SSAFA’s Domestic Abuse Outreach Team provide confidential and compassionate support to anyone in the Armed forces community affected by Domestic Abuse. We can help people recognise abuse, understand their options, and navigate practical and emotional support in a safe and non-judgemental way. We can offer advice, advocacy, or simply someone to listen.
Hide your visit - Thames Valley Police have guidance on how to hide the visit to these webpages from your browser history.
Support for bereaved military families
Scotty’s Little Soldiers - At Scotty's, we aim to provide relief from the effects of grief for bereaved military children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Forces.
Cruse Bereavement Support For Military Bereavement - Cruse Bereavement Support offers a dedicated service for military bereavement, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Support is available for anyone grieving the death of:
- A serving member of the Armed Forces who has died in service, on or off duty
- An ex-serving person who passed away due to service-related reasons
This may include bereaved family members, partners, friends, colleagues, or anyone affected by the loss.
Royal British Legion Independent Inquest Advice (IIA) - The IIA service provides free, independent and expert legal advice and assistance for the families of those who've died in Service, including Reservists on active Service.