Gosforth Group
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, His Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Gosforth Group will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Gosforth Group recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
- Additional Leave For Reservists
We also pledge the following:
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Appoint an Armed Forces Champion within the organisation to act as a focal point for coordinating and promoting support for the Armed Forces Community.
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Promote the Armed Forces Covenant, the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and support for the Armed Forces Community to staff, customers/service users, supply chains, and the wider public.
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Develop strong relationships and work collaboratively with other organisations supporting the Covenant and the Armed Forces Community within the local area or region.
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Engage with any local Armed Forces presence, for example, local Army units, reservist units, RAF stations, and naval bases.
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Note, promote, and make effective use of the provisions for Armed Forces families within the School Admissions Code (England), including measures such as allocating school places in advance of a family arriving in a local area. Demonstrate a commitment to ensuring fair, timely, and supportive admissions processes that recognise the mobility and unique circumstances of Service families, even when official admissions deadlines have passed.
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Support the full portability of MOD SCANs (Service Children’s Additional Needs documentation) to ensure that SEND information is shared promptly and effectively when a service family moves. This includes working proactively with Local Authorities, education providers and MOD teams to minimise delays in assessment and support.
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Promote and make effective use of high-quality resources, including the Service Children’s Progression Alliance’s Thriving Lives Toolkit, to strengthen understanding and support for Service pupils. Demonstrate a commitment to embedding evidence-informed practice that enhances the experiences and outcomes of Service children
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Develop and implement a clear, purposeful strategy for the effective use of any dedicated funding, such as the Service Pupil Premium in England, to ensure it directly supports the achievement, wellbeing, and overall experiences of Service pupils. Demonstrate a commitment to using resources transparently and thoughtfully so that Service children receive the targeted support they deserve.
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Support and promote the wellbeing of Service children, recognising and responding to the unique experiences and challenges they may face. Committed to fostering an inclusive, understanding, and nurturing environment where every Service child feels valued, supported, and able to thrive.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.