Take what is useful
Other organisations that help people leaving the services. We do not run them; we point to the ones we think are worth your time.
Help for your service
Police
Police Leavers Partnership
Free CV, LinkedIn and interview help built with the Police Federation and staff associations.
Police Federation
Your representative can help with notice, pensions and leaving well. Most retired officers keep in touch through NARPO.
NARPO
The National Association of Retired Police Officers, with a jobs board and local branches.
College of Policing: recognition of prior learning
A credit estimator showing how police training may count towards a degree.
Fire and rescue
Fire Brigades Union
Your union can help with notice, pensions and leaving well, and offers retired membership.
Your service pension team
Firefighter pensions are run by each service or its administrator, so start with your HR or pensions page.
Institution of Fire Engineers
The professional body for fire safety and engineering. Its qualifications and membership open doors to fire risk assessment work.
Ambulance
UNISON and the health unions
UNISON, GMB and Unite can help with notice, pensions and leaving well.
NHS Pensions
Run by the NHS Business Services Authority, for questions about your own NHS pension.
College of Paramedics
The professional body for paramedics, with a career framework and a jobs board.
Careers and learning
National Careers Service
Free careers advice by phone or online, with profiles for hundreds of jobs.
Civil Service Jobs
Government roles, many of which value investigation, intelligence and enforcement experience.
Money and pensions
MoneyHelper
Free, impartial guidance on pensions and money, backed by government.
Your pension scheme
For questions about your own pension: for police and fire, usually through your force or service; for ambulance, NHS Pensions.
Independent financial advisers
For personal advice. MoneyHelper explains how to find a regulated adviser.
Wellbeing
Free psychological therapy for serving and former police officers, staff and volunteers, whatever the reason they left, and for their families. No time limit on asking for help.
Support that continues after service ends, including counselling, peer support groups and befriending.
For anyone who has worked at least 12 months for a UK NHS ambulance service or a registered private one, including people who have since left, and for volunteers. Support includes counselling and trauma support, and families can use its online Wellbeing Hub.
Free NHS talking therapy for anxiety and depression. In England you can refer yourself, without seeing a GP.
Your GP
A good first conversation if you are not sure where to start.