As we reach the end of another year, it seems only right to look back over the last 12 months at SCOAF.
It’s been another busy year, with a significant focus placed on outreach work. I have conducted 12 separate site/unit visits this year, across all of the Services. These visits are really valuable, as they give me the opportunity to understand the daily lives of Service personnel, as well as raising awareness of the Ombudsman and the work of SCOAF. During these visits, we conduct focus group discussions with personnel of all ranks, to hear first-hand their experiences of both life in the Armed Forces, and of the Service Complaints system.
In addition, we have presented at a number of conferences, events and training courses throughout the year. I am very grateful to the Services for these invitations, as they offer the opportunity to provide updates on the work of SCOAF, observations on the current Service Complaints system, and a forum for open discussion on improvements that can still be made.
I remain encouraged by the openness and honesty with which the Services approach discussions with my office, and I am very pleased with the working relationship that has been established. While it is only right that SCOAF holds the Services and the Ministry of Defence to account, it is vital that we are able to do so in a way that encourages collaborative thinking and shared learning.
Within SCOAF, performance has been extremely positive, and I am incredibly grateful to all of SCOAF for their continued hard work and their dedication. We have welcomed two new colleagues into vacant positions this year, which has put us in a good position to continue and drive forward all the work that is required to deliver against our business Plan, and our five year Strategic Objectives.
On a personal note, the year has gone by incredibly quickly again. However, it has also been extremely rewarding, and I remain convinced that real change is possible. I look forward to continuing the work done to date, and helping to increase trust and confidence in the system.