Adult Social Care in the Armed Forces Community

Overview 

Adult social care plays a vital role in helping people live independently, with dignity and support, when they need it most. For members of the Armed Forces community, these needs can be more complex, and are often shaped by Service, mobility, and long-term health conditions. 

This report from the Royal British Legion brings together: 

• A review of over 50 research and policy sources
• Insights from policy professionals, care providers, and Armed Forces charities
• Insights from engagement with 30+ organisations and individuals, including people with lived experience

It highlights the reality of accessing social care across the UK and sets out practical steps to improve support for those requiring or providing care in the Armed Forces community.

Why this matters 

The Armed Forces community has distinct social care needs that are often not fully recognised or met. 

• An estimated 1.73 million veterans live in Great Britain today. 
• A higher proportion of veterans report living with disability than non-veterans. 
• Veterans may be more likely than non-veterans to experience conditions such as musculoskeletal issues, hearing impairment and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Despite this, many people struggle to access appropriate support often only receiving help at crisis point. Early intervention can make a significant difference to outcomes of those requiring care, or care providers.

What We Found 

The report identifies seven key themes shaping access to social care for the Armed Forces community: 

• Armed Forces Covenant obligations are not consistently met
• Access to support varies widely
• Frequent relocation during Service can lead to isolation and difficulty navigating local services in later life
• Short-term funding can undermine specialist provision
• Families and unpaid carers are often overlooked 
• Lack of data prevents effective planning and commissioning 
• Identity and awareness barriers limit access to services 

These challenges are interconnected and can result in people not receiving the support they need until their situation becomes a crisis.

Our calls for change 

We are calling for action across the UK to improve how social care supports the Armed Forces community. This includes: 

1. Clear guidance and resourcing for implementing the Armed Forces Covenant in social care 
2. Better cross-border support 
3. Longer-term funding for specialist providers 
4. Improved data collection, including Armed Forces identifiers in care systems 
5. Fairer access to home adaptations, including removing the military compensation penalty 

Together, these changes would help ensure that no one is disadvantaged because of their service and that people can access the support they need earlier and more effectively.

A four nations approach

Social care is devolved and our report works to reflect the different systems across the UK. Alongside the main report, we have produced nation-specific summaries and recommendations with each summary setting out how the findings and recommendations apply in a specific national context.

Download the nation specific summaries:

• Adult Social Care in Wales (English)
• Adult Social Care in Wales (Welsh)
• Adult Social Care in Northern Ireland
• Adult Social Care in Scotland