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Welfare

The welfare of serving and retired members is of paramount importance.

We understand the unique challenges and stress that come with life in the military and are keen to ensure all of our soldiers and officers receive the care and support required.

Much of the support available to Army personnel and their families is given through the Army Welfare Service (AWS), a professional and confidential welfare support service for servicemen and women and their families, wherever they are located. The Army Welfare Service has three main tasks: Community Support, Personal Support and HIVE information services.

The Army Recovery Capability and Wounded Injured Sick Management Information System are in place to track and govern the management of injured service personnel. Their mission is to support wounded, injured and sick soldiers in their recovery, either to enable them to return to duty or to make a smooth transition into civilian life.

WISMIS

WISMIS is the Wounded injured and Sick Management System database, which logs all wounded, injured and sick soldiers to be able to monitor their progress.

Army Policy for the management of Wounded and Injured and Sick (WIS) personnel is set by the Personnel Recovery Branch in Army HQ and executed via Headquarters Regional Command and the functional elements of the Army Recovery Capability (ARC).

The Army Recovery Capability (ARC) ensures the wounded, injured or sick soldiers have access to the key services and resources:

  • A tailored individual recovery plan owned and driven by you with support as necessary.
  • A single point of contact – an appointed Personnel Recovery Officer (PRO) to provide direction and support.
  • Access to a whole range of supporting Service charities who can offer further opportunities and financial support to assist recovery.
  • Personnel Recovery Centres offering a conducive military environment within which to conduct rehabilitation and recovery activity.
  • Additional employment support from the Recovery Career Services.

However, the Corps Colonel as the proponent for the RLC Personnel DloD has cap badge duty of care for Corps personnel, wherever they are serving in the Army and therefore has a remit to monitor the status of RLC WIS personnel and provide assistance where required. This supporting effect is primarily focused on acute WIS cases, soldiers in Personnel Recovery Units (PRUs) and individuals who have been registered on the WIS Management Information System (WISMIS) for over 100 days.

The RHQ has a WISMIS account, which gives visibility of all RLC WIS personnel. The aim of this monitoring is not to ‘police’ units but rather offer cap badge support to the chain of command, where appropriate.

Army Welfare Service

The Army Welfare Service is the Army’s professional welfare provider. It delivers a comprehensive and confidential welfare service responsive to the needs of individuals and families and the Chain of Command in order to maximize the operational effectiveness of our servicemen and women. The Army Welfare Service’s remit includes: Regular Soldiers, their families and communities, the Army Reserve and Reservists and, in certain circumstances, Veterans, other Services and MoD civilians serving overseas.

The Army Welfare Service has 4 key delivery pillars:

  • Personal Support – The Army takes the welfare of its soldiers and their families very seriously and offers a wide range of support. This section provide information and contact details regarding welfare, legal, youth and community support; and Foreign and Commonwealth Citizens information.
  • Community Support – Community Support (CS) staff secure or directly provide CS learning and personal development opportunities for military personnel and their families wherever they are living. Non formal education opportunities are provided within Community, Youth and Play Centres/Projects, focusing on the provision of learning and personal development activities to children, young people and their families throughout the year, across the UK and overseas. CS delivers additional activities during school holidays, including Easter and Summer programmes and offsite residential experiences.

Including Deployment Support for Families – While soldiers are away there is a range of family welfare support available. This support is provided to both Regular Army families and to those of mobilised members of the Army Reserve.

  • Information (HIVE) – The HIVE is an information network available to all members of the Service community. It serves both married and single personnel, together with their families, dependants and civilians employed by the Services.
  • Joint Service Housing Advice Office – The JSHAO is the MOD’s tri-service focal point to provide service personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information for those wishing to move to civilian accommodation at any time in their career, and for those during resettlement to assist with the transition to civilian life..

If you require further information visit www.army.mod.uk/personnel-and-welfare