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Compassionate Procedures for Personnel Serving Abroad

Support for Compassionate Leave and Travel in the Army

The section that provides support for compassionate leave and travel is The Joint Casualty and compassionate Centre (JCCC).  It is available for consultation and investigation and makes recommendations to overseas commands on compassionate leave and travel. The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) is located at Insworth, Gloucester, GL3 1HW.

Compassionate Leave

  • Leave for compassionate reasons can only be granted by the individual’s Commanding Officer (or by an officer who has delegated authority) and will only be granted after the JCCC has investigated the case. 
  • After investigation and verification of the facts, the individual’s unit will be notified of the need for compassionate travel through the chain of command. An appropriate length of compassionate leave may then be granted by those with the authority to do so.
  • The length of the leave granted will depend on the circumstances of the case, but a Commanding Officer has the authority to grant up to 28 days compassionate leave. This leave is in addition to, and not counted against, an individual’s annual leave entitlement.
     

Contacting the Army to Request Compassionate Leave for a Soldier

  • Should circumstances arise which make it necessary for you to apply for the service person or their spouse to be returned to the UK from overseas on compassionate grounds you should telephone the appropriate 24 hour number.

  • Telephone JCCC Compassionate Section on 01452 519951
  • To avoid delays, contact should be made with the JCCC in the first instance. Contacting the service person direct will lead to delay because they or their unit will then have to contact the Compassionate Cell in order for the appropriate investigations to be carried out.
  • When you telephone you will be asked to provide the following information of the service person:
  • Number, Rank and Name
  • Unit and Address of Serviceperson 
  • Name and Telephone Number of Doctor or Hospital (if applicable) who are treating the subject of the compassionate request.

Compassionate Leave for Personnel Serving in the UK

Follow this link for information on Compassionate Leave for Personnel Serving in the UK.

Granting of Compassionate Leave and Travel for Personnel Serving Abroad

If there is a requirement for either Army personnel serving abroad, an accompanying spouse, or an MOD sponsored civilian to return to the UK for compassionate reasons, for example if a close relative becomes very seriously ill (normally life threatening) or passes away, then it is the role of the JCCC to investigate the circumstances and make a recommendation as to whether compassionate travel should be granted.

Predominantly the compassionate system exists to bring Army personnel back to the UK as this is classed as the home of the British Army. However there are a few authorised exceptions, for example individuals who lived abroad and who came to the UK to serve in the British Army may, if they meet certain criteria, be returned at public expense to their country of origin Compassionate travel from overseas can only be authorised for the very serious illness (normally life threatening) or death of parents, step parents, legal guardians, spouse, step children, children, siblings, step siblings or nominated next of kin. For all other relatives a message only will be passed to the unit.

The level of travel which may be authorised ie whether by civil aircraft or the next available military aircraft, will depend on the severity of the illness and the time frame/need to return the individual back to the UK. Having verified the details of the case with the medical authorities, an appropriate recommendation will be made to the individual’s unit via the chain of command.

Follow this link for more information on Compassionate Leave and Travel.

Overseas Compassionate Leave/Travel Card

Every service person who is required to serve abroad for any reason, be it a 6 month operational tour or a 2 week exercise, should be issued with a Compassionate Leave/Travel from Overseas card which gives details of the JCCC 24 hour telephone number. These cards are available through the unit Regimental Administration Office and should be give to relatives before an individual deploys.

Temporary Retention of Army Personnel in the UK

Temporary retention of Army personnel in the UK on compassionate grounds if compassionate leave is considered inadequate. Follow this link for more information on Temporary Retention.