Military veterans, reservists and their partners offered enhanced support by LJMU

As an Armed Forces friendly organisation, LJMU has introduced new measures to better support veterans, reservists and their partners who work for the university, or who may look to join the institution in the future.

Under its pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant, the university is driving forwards its commitment to ensuring reservists can carry out their duties with the assistance of their normal place of work. It has also set out a new process to ensure that upon returning to work after any deployment, members of staff are provided with appropriate practical help as well as health and wellbeing support.

It is also offering enhanced support for partners and spouses who may need to take leave or short-term career breaks while their partners are away on deployment.

As a registered partner with the Career Transition Partnership and Forces Families Jobs, LJMU recognises that many of the skills that reservists and military veterans have are transferable to the workplace and will have cross-university benefits. It is working more closely with military resettlement teams to support veterans transitioning into civilian roles or who wish to access learning at higher education level.

LJMU’s recruitment processes also take into account the unique challenges that come with being a family member of a serving person.

The new Military Veterans and Reservist Policy was approved following positive support from union representatives and staff networks.

What else is LJMU doing in support of the Armed Forces community?

LJMU recognises the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to the institution and the country. LJMU signed the Armed Forces Covenant on 11 October 2021.

The Armed Forces Covenant ensures members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly in our communities, economy and society. This is something that is echoed within our LJMU’s vision and values, underpinning its commitment to providing opportunities for people of all backgrounds and supporting them to flourish.

In October 2022, LJMU was awarded bronze under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) acknowledging how support has been provided to the Armed Forces community and defence by going above and beyond its initial covenant pledge. The university is now seeking to achieve silver status.

To champion its commitment, organise activity and ensure the voice of the Armed Forces continues across LJMU, there is an informal cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group, open to all staff and students, which is being formalised under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power.

More information is set to be shared about the group and its work imminently.

Where can staff access the new policy?

Policies can be accessed via the LJMU Policy Centre and staff can use the search function, using the name of the policy, to access the relevant document.

If you have any issues accessing the policies, please do not hesitate to email the policies inbox for further support.