Government launches new jobs ‘passport’ for injured or disabled veterans

The government has announced new Adjustments Passports that it says will support hundreds of sick and disabled Armed Forces leavers to start and stay in work.

The scheme is designed help those leaving service with an injury, disability or health condition move more smoothly into employment.

The passport provides a transferable record of any workplace adjustments the service leaver may need, such as changes to working hours or specialist equipment, making it easier for them to transition into work, progress and move between jobs.

With this new document all of this can now be done without the need for reassessment, which can often be a barrier to disabled people and those with health conditions staying in work.

Currently, service leavers can receive a copy of the passport and guidance via the Careers Transition Partnership armed services exit process. The passport will be available online for download by the end of the week.

Tom Pursglove, minister for disabled people, health and work, said: “We know that for people who require workplace adjustments, receiving the right support at the right time can be difficult, especially for service leavers’ starting a civilian job for the first time.

“I am thrilled that the Adjustments Passport will address this difficulty, giving service leavers’ the confidence that their needs will be met, and removing the need for multiple assessments.

“Sustained, rewarding employment boosts wellbeing, and I am proud that we will be supporting people who have served our country to transition back to civilian life and start, stay and succeed in work.”

The Passport will provide advice on the various types of funding and support which may be available to support employers with recruitment and retention.

It has been developed based on learning from the Health Adjustments Passport piloted for universities and from closely working with Armed Services stakeholders, testing and shaping the document to suit their needs.

As all the information about their workplace needs will be recorded on the passport, it removes the need for a service leaver to undergo an Access to Work assessment, helping the service leaver to receive in-work support more quickly.

The Adjustments Passport is available to all Armed Forces service leavers on a voluntary basis, with service leavers choosing to take up the offer if they feel it would benefit them. It can be accessed via the Careers Transition Partnership or GOV.UK.

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