Op NOVA
What is Op NOVA?
Op NOVA provides practical and emotional support to UK Armed Forces veterans living in England who are either facing arrest or already in the justice system. Our expert caseworkers have extensive knowledge and experience in helping veterans and understand the unique challenges you may face. They can also provide support without judgement when you need it most.
Who is Op NOVA for?
The Op NOVA service supports veterans of the UK Armed Forces living in England, regardless of how long ago they left the military.
Veterans are defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (regular or reserve), or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations.
Op NOVA can support you if you:
- Are at risk of being arrested.
- Have been arrested and are in custody.
- Are in prison.
- Have been released from prison in the last six months.
What Support Does Op NOVA Provide?
Op NOVA provides a range of support, helping with:
- Education and employment
- Accommodation
- Living skills and self-care
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Friends and community
- Relationships and family
- Parenting and caring
- Drugs and alcohol
- Living a law-abiding life
Many of our caseworkers are from the Armed Forces community, either having served themselves or having a family member who has served. Others have worked in the police, probation and prison services, or charities, or even been in the justice system themselves.
All of our caseworkers have experience with the justice system, so they understand what you’re going through and are well placed to support you.
The Process
Firstly sign up to the service, which needs assessment for each individual is taken.
After this assessment, specialist support from military charities and other organisations is put into place.
Regular communication with veterans takes place to assess the impact of the work. This is done by using outcome stars when support commences.
This is then repeated 3 months later.
Once we have recieved your referral, we will get in touch to confirm your veteran status and allocate you a local caseworker. Your case worker will meet you either face to face or remotely, and together, you will undertake a needs assessment and develop a personalised plan based on the support you need
Your Op NOVA caseworker will connect you with the right services to support you, such as the prison healthcare team.
Op NOVA is not a time-restricted service. Your personalised plan will continue for as long as required, provided you are positively engaged with the support service.
You can refer yourself or be referred by a professional from the justice sector, or from an organisation that is supporting you such as a charity or health service.
How can Op NOVA Support Your Family?
Being involved in the justice system can be a very stressful time, not just for yourself, but also your family.
A specialist Op NOVA family support navigator can assist your family with accessing a wide range of support, such as relationship issues, alcohol or drug dependency, depression, parenting, bereavement, employment, trauma and domestic violence and abuse.
How do I Contact Op NOVA?
If you are in prison, you can ask your custody or wing officer to link you up with your Veterans in Custody Support Officer (VICSO), who can contact Op NOVA on your behalf.
You can refer yourself to Op NOVA by using the contact details provided on this page. Alternatively, if you are getting help from a support service, such as probation, they can refer you by using our online partner referral form.
Looking for more information or online partner referrals?
