Military Children, Families, and Communities: Supporting Those Who Serve.

Support to Armed Forces Families and Partners

Families offering considerable support to those serving, or those who have served in the military. In that location are specific initiatives under the Armed services Covenant to back up family unit life in the military and for veteran families.

Some policies will apply to y'all and others volition not. This section will direct you to the right place on GOV.Great britain and other trusted resources so that you can run into what is bachelor.

A soldier returned safely from Afghanistan, heads domicile with his family.
Soldiers from B (Rorke'southward Drift) Company, the second Battalion The Royal Welsh.

Areas where back up for families is bachelor include:

Veterans and Families' Directory of Services (VFDS)

An piece of cake-to-use application to help organisations and front end-line staff that work with and back up veterans and military families has been launched by Northumbria University, working with the Ministry of Defense.

The Veterans and Families Directory of Services (VFDS) helps the user to locate services that are bachelor in their area. These have been grouped into categories such as Education and Preparation, Employment, Finances, etc.

This invaluable resource too provides an choice to feedback about the services being offered at a location, plus a push button that takes the user straight to the self-assistance page of the Veterans' Gateway.

E-learning for Armed forces Families

Service personnel and their families face up frequently unique challenges. To support them, the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed services Covenant Partnership take created a series of online e-learning modules, which are intended for specific audiences. This module will help you understand the Armed services Covenant equally information technology is applied today, how it works and what to do if it isn't working.

These resources have been co-funded by Warwickshire Canton Council and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund equally part of the promise to ensure members of the Armed Forces customs are treated adequately and not disadvantaged as a consequence of Service.

Access the e-learning modules on the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant website.

Moving between devolved administrations and returning from overseas

You can view welcome guides for England, Scotland and Wales on Welcome guides for service personnel and their families moving between devolved administrations and returning from overseas.

Supporting children and educational activity

In collaboration between the Department for Education and the Ministry of Defence force'southward Directorate for Children and Young People, there accept been changes to the Common Transfer File (CTF) from September 2018. The CTF is the means by which state schools and local authorities in England transfer educatee data when a pupil moves from one school to some other.

An updated leaflet explaining the role of the Children's Teaching Advisory Service is here.

From September 2018:

• When a school receives a CTF with the Service Child flag indicator fix to 'Yep', an alert volition be raised request that a) the appropriate member of staff be informed of the identity of the Service child joining the schoolhouse and b) where the concerns section in the 'Service Kid' section of the CTF has not been completed, that the appropriate member of staff be informed and advised to contact the CTF sending school for clarification.
• A 'Service Child' section has been added to the CTF that asks boosted questions based around a child's response to moving school, parental deployment and parental separation due to extended training periods or other forms of duty.  A gratis text box has also been added in which a school tin can include details nigh any concerns, gaps in education, strengths of the child, etc.

These developments are designed to assist schools manage the transfer of Service children and ensure a greater continuity of educational activity and pastoral support.

Whatsoever enquiries should be addressed to: DCYP-CEAS-Enquiries@modern.gov.britain

Function of a quality family life is supporting your children and their education, wherever you are and whenever you lot motion.

In that location are several links to advice on ways to help maintain service children'south education  on GOV.UK.

The Service Pupil Premium  provides extra funding to state schools, free schools and academies attended by service children in England.

The MOD Education Back up Fund (ESF)  is open to publicly-funded schools, Academies and Free Schools in the U.k. attended past Service children whose parents are subject area to exceptional mobility and/or deployment.

The School Admissions Lawmaking provides specific information on the schoolhouse admissions process for service families. This can be found at paragraph 2.18 of the Lawmaking . In addition, if returning from overseas, you can apply for school places for your children in advance.

Wales: There is a dedicated website  for service children's education in Wales.

Scotland: The MOD has published guidance  on educational activity in Scotland.

The Bereavement Scholarship Scheme  is available to provide academy and further education scholarships for the children of service personnel whose death has been attributed to service since 1990. Scholarships available for farther educational activity under the scheme now include programmes of report below A Levels. Y'all tin can apply on the GOV.UK website .

Childcare

Modernistic personnel based in the UK have the same access to Childcare Choices as any other denizen. Since 2013, the MOD has been working to ensure that any changes to childcare entitlements tin be mirrored, so far as it is reasonably practicable to do and then, for entitled MOD personnel based outside the UK. Visit DCYP GOV.Uk website for details.

Tax Free Childcare (TFC) was introduced by authorities in April 2018 and fully rolled out by the end of 2018, replacing the Childcare Voucher Scheme which airtight to new entrants in October 2018. TFC is a savings account which working parents tin use to pay for regulated childcare. For every £8 the parent pays in, the government will top up by £ii up to a full of £two,000 per twelvemonth (£four,000 for disabled children). Visit GOV.UK website for details.

This leaflet compares the differences betwixt TFC and Childcare Vouchers.

In overseas locations, TFC can only exist accessed when using MOD approved childcare providers or where a provider is accredited past the host nation (existing banking agreements with UK government have to exist in place).

In England, parents with children aged 3 and iv years old tin, from the term post-obit the child's third birthday, access 15 hours complimentary childcare. Since September 2017, working parents in England, who meet the eligibility criteria, can access an additional 15 hours gratis childcare. Entitlements differ across the UK, please visit DCYP.GOV.Uk for full details. Where reasonably practicable to exercise so, English entitlements are available to personnel overseas.

The xxx hours free childcare code issued by regime is not valid for utilise outside of England. Directorate Children & Young People (DCYP) has worked closely with DfE and HM Revenue & Customs to ensure Service parents returning to England from Scotland, Wales, Northern Republic of ireland and overseas can use for a 30 hours childcare code before they arrive dorsum in England. This will ensure that entitlements are not missed, peculiarly when parents motility mid-term and would not be able to apply within termly deadlines prepare by DfE.

Parents who are due to return to England, after a term deadline, just are aware of this motion prior to a term deadline, tin apply for a transmission 30 hours code for their return. Parents must call the Childcare Service helpline on 0300 123 4097 and request a transmission application.  This leaflet provides information on childcare provision in the Home Nations.

An Additional Needs and Inability Guide has been created for service families past the Forces Boosted Needs and Inability Forum ('FANDF') Committee and the SSAFA Additional Needs and Disability Advisor.

1 of the many services SSAFA, the Military clemency, provides is anational registered adoption agency, supporting members of the armed forces who wish to create a family through adoption. SSAFA sympathise the needs of military adopters and this is the only service of its kind in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. SSAFA welcomes applications from all members of the serving community and those who have left the armed forces in the concluding 3 years. SSAFA have produced a useful leaflet chosen 'Thinking about adoption'.

For more than information, e-mail the SSAFA adoption squad on adoption@ssafa.org.united kingdom, call on 020 7463 9326 or visit their website.

TheChildren'southward Guild, who are undertaking NHS England-funded national programmes of work looking at the needs ofyoung carers in armed forces families take produced a report following a pilot programme  delivered in Hampshire and Wiltshire, where 29% of military personnel are currently located. The project looked at how caring responsibilities may negatively affect this grouping of young people'southward wellness, well-being and education, and to identify challenges they face in accessing support and good practise support.

Having access to healthcare

Having admission to mod and advanced clinical care is essential. The National Health Service (NHS),  Ministry of Defence (Modernistic), charities and welfare organisations are working together to provide this, wherever you are.

Discover out about healthcare through the NHS for the armed forces families.

MOD and Department of Health support services information can exist plant on GOV.UK.

Get healthcare advice for you lot and your family when relocating within the UK or returning home from an overseas posting.

Mental health support for the armed forces community can be institute on GOV.UK and NHS Choices. The NHS can also provide mental health support through the Big White Wall service. This service is available for free to serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The Ministry building of Defence has launched the defence people mental health and wellbeing strategy. Information technology provides a renewed focus on promotion of mental health wellbeing and the prevention of mental ill health for serving personnel, veterans, families and MOD civil servants.

Having a dwelling house

Having a comfortable abode is an important part of your well-being. Whether y'all are living on or off base, renting or thinking about ownership a dwelling, in that location is advice and support available to you.

With the Forces Help to Buy scheme your family tin borrow upwardly to £25,000 interest gratuitous over x years to help create a deposit for a new home.

Another way to get financial assistance is through the government's affordable dwelling ownership schemes.

Ain your ain home provides a range of schemes that make home-buying more than affordable.

The Joint Service Housing Communication Office (JSHAO) provides serving personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information for those wishing to move to civilian accommodation at whatever time in their career, and for those during resettlement to assistance with the transition to noncombatant life.

The Scottish Authorities have created a Veterans Portal which provides data on services for transitioning service personnel and their families and those currently serving who are considering living in Scotland in the future.

Getting financial advice

Managing your money at present and the future can be confusing for whatsoever of us, just you can get get advice and support specific to those in the war machine customs.

Find out more about financial and alimony advice and back up services for the defence personnel and families that you may exist able to have advantage of.

The Ministry of Defense has published a helpful guide on fiscal top tips for service personnel. Information technology provides service personnel with communication on getting a fair deal when they need to access financial services.

The Armed Forces Railcard offers your family unit upwardly to 1/iii off rail fares. Spouses/partners of currently serving armed forces personnel can sign up for the Defense force Discount Service.

Joining Forces is 3 credit unions working together to provide savings accounts and loans to the military machine and their families.

The British Insurers Brokers' Association accept published on their website a list to highlight which of companies which   policies which tailored to the armed forces customs.

We take put together a useful summary of businesses who offer support to the Armed Forces community with mortgages, motor insurance, broadband, media packages, and mobile phones. Click on the link to detect out more.

Finance: Overseas Investment and Scam-avoidance

The Covenant team has worked in collaboration with Great britain Finance, the collective vocalization of the banking and finance industry, and the Service Families Federations, to provide an Overseas Investment and Scam-avoidance advice note for those service personnel and their families serving, or due to be assigned, overseas.

The MOD works closely with iii credit unions under the imprint of Joining Forces and has facilitated direct salary sacrifice via JPA to encourage Service personnel to relieve, and to make loan repayment simpler. The Department also provides up to engagement information in respect of pay, pensions and allowances to MoneyForce, the Royal British Legion's money advice service.

Money Force is a joint venture between Regal British Legion, Ministry building of Defence and the Authorities's The Money Advice Service. Both Joining Forces and MoneyForce are proactively providing impartial fiscal advice through visits to units and bases across the country and most importantly strive to offer the most appropriate product to service personnel. Credit Unions are non there to make a turn a profit and accept a proven track record of ethical lending and better in many instances levels of involvement for savings.

Supporting spouse/partner careers and didactics

Supporting spouses and partners aspirations is too office of the covenant, as we recognise the importance of family within the armed forces customs.

Organisations who have signed the Military Covenant have made their own commitments to supporting reservists, spouses and veterans. Find Forces friendly employers in your area.

There are various initiatives under DWP's enhanced access to Jobcentre Plus services that may do good you.

You may be able to claim National Insurance credits for time spent accompanying your partner abroad.

As a spouse / partner of serving personnel, you can be considered for early admission to the Work Programme which  provides support, work experience and preparation for up to 2 years to help people observe and stay in work. Those who have been claiming Jobseeker'due south Allowance for at least 3 month are eligible.

Y'all tin can nominate your employer or an organization for a silver or gold award under the Defence force Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) which encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to practice the aforementioned.

The College of Policing have published updated vetting guidance then spouses and dependants of service personnel will no longer fail the residency requirements due to fourth dimension spent overseas when applying to work for the Police Service.

RBLI Lifeworks is a fully funded back up service to help armed services spouses and partners get the job they want. It'south available to all spouses and partners of any serving (or recently discharged) fellow member of the British military, including reserves and bereaved families. Information technology's completely gratuitous as the course is fully funded by Armed Forces charities.

Supporting the Unsung Hero course is an Laurels winning, business starting time-upwards plan delivered by the Black Country Sleeping room of Commerce a Defence Golden Employer Recognition Scheme Award Holder.

The Programme has been developed specifically for Armed services families to provide them with the transferable skills and support required to start and maintain a business organisation. Now in it'southward eighth yr the class continues to  be in loftier demand from Armed Forces Families, Veterans and Reservists. https://world wide web.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/

Recruit for Spouses is an independent social enterprise Community Interest Company run largely by people who take a Serving spouse. They exist to help military spouses and partners observe a job or start a business. They can offering help with CVs and interview skills, enhancing digital skills, sourcing career opportunities and placing spouses and partners into posts advertised by partner organisations. They offer access to a range of gratis online resources including webinars, social media and live Q&A sessions and extend their support to the spouses and partners of serving personnel, veterans, and bereaved or divorced spouses and partners. Visit Recruit for Spouses website

Forces Families Jobs is a website that seeks to bring together employers and service spouses looking for jobs.  Information technology was set in 2019 by the three Families Federations and the Mod, with support from military machine charities and a major recruitment agency.

RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity – Families Programme provides tailored careers and employability support to run across the diverse and private needs of partners within the Armed Forces Community (all partners and spouses of both serving personnel and veterans including those who are separated, divorced and widowed in the UK and overseas).  Information technology'south piece of cake to annals, click here to submit your request or call our central support squad on 0121 262 3058 who'll connect y'all with an Advisor or electronic mail info@rfea.org.uk

Families Federations

Each service has an contained Families Federation, which tin can offering you support and advice. They work with your service and every level of authorities as your abet.

Families Federations meet regularly with key government departments including Department of Work and Pensions, Department of Education, Department of Health and the Ministry of Defense force to review issues that are affecting the serving and family unit customs. If you accept concerns please get in touch with these organisations.

Naval Families Federation (Royal Navy and Royal Marines)

Regular army Families Federation

Royal Air Force Families Federation

Information Offices/HIVEs

The network of Data Offices and HIVEs across the Great britain and overseas are a valuable point of contact for Service personnel and their families, offering an extensive range of material and advice on issues such every bit relocation, local area information, education, accommodation, employment and grooming opportunities, childcare and travel. Welfare Information Support Teams and HIVE Information Support Officers (HISOs) research answers to enquiries and accept excellent links with Service and noncombatant agencies. Staff work closely with the unit welfare staff at times of deployment and provide a advice pack detailing how families can keep in touch with their loved ones during deployments. All HIVE staff are leap to a Code of Confidentiality.

The word HIVE is not an abridgement or acronym only based on the concept that the centres would human activity similar a bee hive.

Royal Navy Purple Marines

Welfare Data Support website

E-mail: navynps-peoplesptrnrmwinfo@mod.gov.uk

RN Forum

Facebook: /RNRMW

Twitter: @RNRM Welfare

Army HIVEs

The Army HIVEs website contains links to Army HIVE blogs providing information and contact details for all HIVE in Britain and overseas.

RAF HIVEs

The RAF HIVE Service provides an information and welfare referral service to the war machine community, including serving personnel, their families, veterans, reservists and civilians on station.

The HIVEs can support you with:

• deployment support
• relocating
• local station and noncombatant facilities
• schools and further pedagogy
• housing
• healthcare facilities
• employment and training opportunities
• places of interest

RAF HIVE Data Officers are not trained in welfare counselling but they are able to offering initial support to individuals and tin make referrals to appropriate professional services. All HIVE staff are bound to a Code of Confidentiality.

Community Support Cyberspace Site

RAF HIVE Facebook

RAF HIVE Twitter

Support groups

Observe out about the Family Support Groups available to you and your family.

Accept your say

If you take experienced commercial disadvantage because of your or your family members' service, please take a moment to complete a short survey to tell us near it.

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Source: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/support-and-advice/families/

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