Special Needs
Forces Special Needs and Disability Support Group - Terms of Reference
Name
The name of the group shall be the Forces Special Needs and Disability Support Group (FSNDSG)
Aims
The aims of the FSNDSG are:
- To ensure those issues raises by members of the FSNDSG are addressed with the appropriate authorities.
- To promote the interests of, and take action to meet the needs of, those in all three Armed Forces who either have themselves or have dependents who have special needs or disability.
The FSNDSG shall:
- Provide a focus for all issues relating to special needs and disability within the context of the Armed Forces.
- Actively promote Awareness and Anti-discriminatory practice relating to Special Needs and Disability.
- Create forums for the discussion, consultation and co-operation between Service Personnel, their families, voluntary / statutory agencies and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the appropriate agencies such as the Defense Estates (DE) and Service Children's Education (SCE).
- Procure and provide information through established Service information centers such as HIVEs, SAFAB, AFAB and the Service website on the Internet.
- Arrange and provide for assist in the arrangement and provision of appropriate training events.
- Consider and comment on Government and MOD issues that affect special needs and disability within the context of the Armed Forces.
Membership of the FSNDSG shall be open to serving personnel or the defendants of serving personnel who:
- Themselves have special needs or a disability.
- Have a child who has special needs or a disability.
- Have a dependent who has special needs or a disability.
- Full Membership. All those who fall into categories listed in paragraph 4 are entitled to full membership.
- Associate Membership. Anyone who works or has an interest in the area of welfare, special needs and disability within the Armed Forces environment or interested outside agencies.
The policy and general management of the FSNDSG shall be directed by the Members' Forum that shall meet not less than four times annually. The Members' Forum is elected four yearly and shall appoint a Chairman from within the Forum to hold office for a 12-month period. Persons interested in becoming elected members of the forum should contact the SSAFA-FH Special Needs & Disability Adviser (SNDA).To serve on the member's forum as an individual must be a full member of the FSNDSG as defined in paragraphs 4 and 5.
The membership of the Members' Forum shall consist of:
- An overseas representative.
- A serving individual with special needs or disability.
- A serving individual who has a partner with special needs or disability.
- A partner or dependent (of a serving individual) with social needs or disability.
- The SSAFA-FH SNDA shall be an ex-officio member of the Members' Forum to provide professional advice and direct link to SSAFA-FH and the MOD.
- A representative from each of the Armed Forces' Service Personnel Support Branches will be invited to attend as members.
Finance
The finical year shall run from 1 Jan. to 31 Dec. Should the FSNDSG hold funds outside the umbrella of SSAFA-FH, then it shall appoint a Treasurer and the accounts shall be audited and published at least once a year.
Any income and property of the FSNDSG however derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the FSNDSG as set out in these Terms of References. No portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or in directly by way of dividend, bonus or profit to any member of the Member' Forum. This does not preclude the repayment of reasonable and Legitimate out of pocket expenses to any member of the Member' Forum.
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