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Seriously Injured Leavers Protocol
Notification of a Seriously Injured Leaver (Welfare 11)
Transitional Welfare Requirements Protocol
Gurkha Far East Prisoner Payments
Foreign and Commonwealth Personnel
Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH)
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Seriously Injured Leavers Protocol:
The Aftercare Protocol in respect of a referral to SPVA
Welfare Service from Service Welfare via a Welfare 11. Addressing the Welfare needs of Severely Injured Leavers affecting all Veterans
after Discharge
Introduction
• This protocol aims to ensure the identification and ongoing support
for those Service Leavers (SL) deemed likely to be medically discharged due
to severe physical/mental disablement. The identification is based upon defined
major disabling medical criteria, whilst the support is achieved through the
closer working of MoD in-Service and post Service welfare groups.
• Whilst ‘DResettlement’
furthers the provision for links to ex-Service charities, this protocol complements
that potential support by ensuring the MoD formally helps the severely disabled
SL engage with all internal and external available services. This is achieved
through closer working arrangements, without any break in the continuity of
support.
• The protocol outlines the support available to SLs throughout their life,
as a result of injury through service. It does not replace or diminish any
alternative support provision available, like that from Regimental Associations
etc. Indeed closer contact with these groups should be encouraged so as to
facilitate the best possible outcome for the disabled SL. It also has the
added benefit of identifying discharged personnel whose condition has deteriorated
or developed since leaving Service, facilitating a referral to Service Personnel
and Veterans Agency Welfare Manager (SPVAWM). Resulting in benefit from the
protocol, albeit post the usual trigger dates.
The Protocol
1. Early identification by Key Case Worker of individuals deemed likely to
be medically discharged due to severe physical/mental disablement.
Levels of disability are to be measured in accordance with the following status
of eligibility:
• Major disablement arising in medical discharge for
Regular and Reservists, in the categories set out below:
• Severe complex multiple injuries;
• Head injuries requiring extended hospitalisation;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• PTSD and similar traumatic psychological injuries;
• Amputations;
• Loss of sight/hearing;
• Severe Burns;
There are particular issues with respect to Reservists and efforts will be
required to ensure that their needs are identified and addressed. The protocol
includes injury whilst on Man Training Days.
Commonwealth personnel who are subject to immigration control without recourse
to public funds on discharge may be ineligible for statutory support from
UK local authorities or OGDs, specialist support and additional arrangements
may be required.
2. 3 months prior to discharge or immediately discharge
is decided, if that date is later
Key Case Workers are to contact the appointed Service Personnel
and Veterans Agency Welfare Manager (SPVAWM) using the approved
Welfare 11 tri-Service
proforma, which is available on the internet via
www.veterans-uk.info/welfare/welfare_11.doc
It is imperative the
person referring the Welfare 11 receives signed authorisation
from the Service
Leaver, prior
to releasing information to SPVA Welfare.
All pages of the Welfare 11 should be fully completed, omitting
the SL’s
signature and referred electronically. In addition, a copy
of page 1, signed by the Service Leaver should be sent to SPVA
Welfare, via
fax
as evidence
of consent.
With regards to the signature of the person who has completed
the form, as mentioned above, with reference to the Welfare
11, the
inclusion of the words
next to the signature box, ‘if proforma Emailed, typed name will suffice’ is
sufficient.
The Welfare 11 should be *E-mailed to the central SPVA point
(E-mail addresses are detailed below and on the Welfare11),
to notify the
impending medical
discharge and provide case details identifying potential
requirements for aftercare support to include as appropriate:
a. Post discharge living arrangements
b. Finances
c. Employment
d. Potential benefit entitlements
e. Alcohol/drug dependencies
f. Engagement with other welfare support services/charities
g. For those subject to immigration control there may be
a requirement to apply to the Home Office (HO) for ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’
h. Any other identified welfare support requirements*If
E-mail is not available, the Welfare 11 should be referred
by fax
or post using the details below:
SPVA Contact/alternative referral point:
SPVA Welfare Support Office
Room 6124, Norcross, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY5 3WP
E-mail:
russ.egan@spva.gsi.gov.uk or
victoria.bell1@spva.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 01253 333641
Fax: 01253 332235
3. 1 month prior to discharge or immediately discharge is decided, if that
date is later
The VWS WM should contact the person who made the Welfare 11 referral to
arrange an initial meeting with the Key Case Worker (ie in-Service personnel)
and the SL, involving the post discharge carer if necessary. They are to
discuss mutually, proposals for a post discharge support package to include,
as appropriate, those areas outlined at para 2 and to record the identified
requirements and responsibilities.
4. Post Discharge
Weeks 1 –11
The SPVAWM and the Key Case Worker are to proceed with the agreed post
discharge care plan, in line with responsibilities determined at paras
2 and 3, which
will include determined levels and frequency of contact.
Contact between the Key Case Worker and SPVAWM is to be continued
throughout Weeks 1 – 11 (if appropriate, a longer period can be agreed
between all parties) in order to discuss outcomes and determine areas of
individual
or mutual engagement to resolve casework issues. The level of contact
is dependant on the case and if there is any in-Service need. Throughout
this
period overall case responsibility remains with the Key Case Worker
until in-Service withdrawal is jointly agreed, involving the SL and family
(scheduled
at week 12), although the delivery of agreed front line practical support
will be jointly addressed with SPVAWM.
5. Week 12 – Transfer of responsibility
The Key Case Worker and SPVAWM are to undertake a home visit, involving the
Veteran and immediate family in a case conference. This will affect an
agreed transfer of welfare responsibility from, in-Service to SPVAWM or
a deferment to a future specified date to attain optimum transition arrangements.
The full details of areas discussed at this visit must be recorded, and
responsibility for taking forward further work to assist the Veteran must
be clearly identified against realistic timeframes.
6. Post Transfer of Responsibility
a) 4 to 6 months:
SPVAWM are to conduct 2 further home visits in months 4 and 6 (from the date
of discharge), to assess progress under the agreed support package for the
veteran and their immediate family, supplemented by a telephone contact in
month 5.
b) 7 to 12 months:
SPVAWM are to conduct visits in months 9 and 12 (from the date of discharge),
supplemented by monthly telephone contact in other months.
c) 13 to 18 months:
SPVAWM are to conduct 3 monthly telephone contacts during months 15 and 18
(from the date of discharge).
d) 19 to 24 months:
SPVAWM are to conduct 6 month telephone contact during month 24 (from the
date of discharge).
e) Post 24 months:
Annual contact to be facilitated where needed via visit or telephone as agreed
between all parties and in accordance with presenting welfare needs.
Throughout all stages support and intervention will be provided in a manner
that aims not to create dependency but to promote positive and workable
solutions to achieving independent living and employment opportunities
outside of the Services. It should recognise that as part of the Military
Covenant the Services and the nation owe much to these medically discharged
veterans and they should be offered as much assistance as possible to live
as good a quality of life as possible, irrespective of any disabilities
they may have. |
