New Armed Forces Carer’s Passports are introduced

Carer’s passports are well established and widely used across many organisations throughout the UK, including the Civil Service, and have proven to be an invaluable resource for employees with caregiving responsibilities. They are now available for our Armed Forces.

It can be especially hard to balance a career in the Armed Forces alongside caring responsibilities, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is dedicated to support those who do.

Introducing the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport

The MOD has launched the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport, a practical and effective tool to help carers in managing their responsibilities. The passport ensures that when carers move between roles or experience a change in manager, they do not have to renegotiate the necessary arrangements from scratch. By documenting required flexibilities, the passport provides continuity and support, reducing unnecessary disruptions for both the carer and the MOD.

The passport acknowledges that operational needs will always remain the priority. However, it ensures that the carer’s circumstances are formally considered, fostering an environment where personnel feel empowered to discuss their care-giving challenges, how these might impact their work responsibilities and feel supported in their dual roles by promoting openness and mutual understanding.

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This whole-force approach ensures that both military and civilian carers receive the same level of support, reflecting the MOD's commitment to enhance the wellbeing of its personnel and their families. The introduction of the passports will improve consistency in the way care-giving responsibilities are supported, ensuring that all carers are treated fairly and equitably, regardless of where they are serving or who their manager is.

If you are an Armed Forces carer, please speak to your manager about the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport and explore how it can support you.

For more information on this and the other support available visit - The GOV.UK Page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/armed-forces-carers-passport. Information will also be added to Discover My Benefits next year. For those with access to MODnet, the Defence Instruction Notice can be found at: 2024DIN01-126-Armed Forces Carers Passport Guidance and Implementation.docx(sharepoint.com)