COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
SO MUCH MORE than just a LISTENING EAR
More than just a listening ear, SSAFA provides practical, emotional and financial support to anyone who is serving or has ever served, including their families. Whenever life’s trials and tribulations are proving too much to deal with alone, SSAFA will do whatever they can to help. Sqn Ldr Karl Parfitt of RAF Community Support takes a look at what’s on offer.
E
verybody needs a little help and support at some point in their lives. Whether a problem has life-changing
consequences or, perhaps, a particular issue is causing stress and anxiety, SSAFA has just about dealt with all manner of welfare situation and, since 1990, they have been working closely with the RAF to enhance the support given to their personnel to help fulfill the Service’s duty of care.
SSAFA is a charity organisation and every year their network of volunteers and professional staff provide advice and support for around 50,000 people worldwide with serving
personnel, veterans and families all benefiting from their valuable work. The RAF community alone accounted for over 3200 welfare referrals in 2013 under the contracted SSAFA Personal Support and Social Work Service.
SSAFA Support and Social Work Service for the RAF The Personal Support and Social Work Service for the RAF comprises a professionally qualified and registered Head of Service based at HQ Air Command; a service manager, a learning and development manager and social work managers, who are regionally located and provide professional welfare support to station administrative staff, a link with local
authority social services and other civilian welfare related organisations.
The team manager supervises the Personal and Family Support Fieldworker, who is not necessarily a qualified social worker but who is alternatively qualified in a related field. This enables the Personal Support and Social Work Service to have a diverse and widely experienced workforce. They assist station executives by providing direct welfare services to RAF personnel and their families; as such, they work closely with medical staff, padres, personnel support staff, flight commanders and others.
The social work teams deal with a range of issues in a confidential way including relationships, illness, mental health, housing, bereavement, separation, domestic abuse and debt. The complexity and gravity of welfare cases can vary significantly, which will dictate the required level of SSAFA support. They also take part in local forums, such as safeguarding children’s boards, helping to bring the military perspective to these often complex issues. The teams will also take on work on behalf of local authorities in some situations. All SSAFA social work services have been awarded the Government’s Excellence in Customer Service Mark.
Out of Hours Service SSAFA fieldworkers are based on each large and medium size station but small or satellite units will usually have fieldworker support provided by a local or parent station. Normal working hours are between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, SSAFA understands that many welfare situations occur at evenings and weekends so they offer a dedicated out of hours service that can be accessed by any serving member of the RAF, including Reserve personnel, as well as their families.
More than just welfare referrals In support of the service provided to the RAF, SSAFA can call upon a network of specialist
48 Envoy Spring 2014
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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