Parents fined £1,000 for taking their children out of school during term time

Media outlets report that a MoD guard and his wife have been fined nearly £1,000 for taking their children out of school during term time.  So what are the new rules? And how do they apply to the children of Service... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Further funding for pupils with parents in the Armed Forces

The Rt Hon David Laws MP has announced the continuation of the Service Pupil Premium. He said:  "We are continuing to support children with parents in the armed forces through the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Secure funding for your child's school by TELLING THE HEAD TEACHER!

State Schools, Academies and Free Schools in England, which have Service children in Reception to Year 11, can receive the funding, which is designed to assist the school to provide mainly non-educational support (known as pastoral care) to Service children. The SPP is currently £300 per Service child, paid directly to... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Government seeks parents' views on Childcare Vouchers

The Government has announced major changes to the childcare voucher scheme and is keen to hear the views of parents. The Government had therefore put together a ... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

New Director takes on challenges facing Young People across the MoD

Mike Cooper has taken up the post as the 2* Director of Children & Young People (DCYP). In his role as Director, Mike provides the Adjutant General, who is the Principal Personnel Officer for children’s issues across the MoD, with... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

MPs conclude: Service children must get equal education opportunities

The House of Commons Defence Committee have published their report: Educating the Children of Service Personnel. COVENANT IN ACTION? PART 3: EDUCATING THE CHILDREN OF SERVICE PERSONNEL. MPs conclude that cross-Government... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Live Parliamentary Session: Educating the children of service personnel

These oral sessions continue the series:The Armed Forces Covenant in Action. Parts 3 & 4 are entitled 'Educating the Children of Service Personnel' and can be viewed on the Parliament website. Part 3 The witnesses in this 3rd session are the... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

An inspirational drama & music project for young people of Hampshire

This is potentially a life-changing opportunity. By the end of the project as well as performing in front of a live audience, these young people will have created rousing pieces of music, achieved an Arts Award, recorded interviews for oral history use in the future, created banners for display across Hampshire and, most importantly, made some friends for life. The EDGE Project, an initiative of Hampshire Museums & Galleries Trust and the Winchester based, Discarded Nut Theatre Company are offering young people from Armed Forces families... More information

Calling 14-18 yr olds for high adventure on the Annington Challenge

After a hugely successful trial of the Annington Challenge last year. Children of Service parents are again invited to take part in an 8 day outward bound adventure. With only £50 to pay, it would seem too good an opportunity to miss... Find out more by reading Josh Booth's account in the RAF FF magazine, Envoy. Aged 14 and living at RAF Benson, Josh said: "I had an amazing time and met some great people...More information »

The House of Commons Defence Committee invite your views

The House of Commons Defence Committee invites Service personnel and their families to take part in an online forum they have set up. The National Audit Office is running two online surveys for the HCDC until the end of Feb 13 or you can access them through the parliament website. They are keen to hear your views - please take this opportunity to tell them your experiences of: The education for Service children and The education of Armed Forces personnel...More information »

New Challenges for Children with Additional Needs

SSAFA is once again offering their Summer Activity Breaks for Children with additional needs or disability and their siblings and young carers. It is an opportunity for the children of Service personnel to make new friends and try exciting adventure activities. Rick Cooke from RAF Shawbury said: "Or son Ethan absolutely loved it. We are so grateful for the continuing support of SSAFA throughout the years...More information »

The House of Commons Defence Committee is conducting an Inquiry into ‘Educating the Children of Service Personnel’. We have very little time left but this is your opportunity to tell us your views. The Committee would particularly like to hear your experience and thoughts on: The difficulties facing Service families in achieving the same standard of education for their children as they would if they were civilians; The provision of education for all Service children from pre-school to age 19; The transfer of information about pupils between schools, in particular pupils with Special Educational Needs; The effectiveness of the financial support schemes for all Service families; The adequacy of oversight and monitoring of Service Children’s education. Please let us know your thoughts before the 10 Jan 13. Click here to register your views...More information »

Schools - Apply now for a share of £3M to assist publicly funded schools

The MoD’s Support Fund for State Schools with Service Children has been made available to help mitigate the effects of exceptional mobility and/or deployment of their Service communities; Applications for 2013 are now being accepted from publicly funded schools, Academies and Free Schools throughout the UK who meet the eligibility criteria. Local Authorities are also able to apply in support of these schools...More information »

URGENT - Your views on Service Children’s Education, please

The House of Commons Defence Committee is conducting an Inquiry into ‘Educating the Children of Service Personnel’. We have very little time but this is your opportunity to tell us your views. The Committee would particularly like to hear your experience and views on: The difficulties facing Service families in achieving the same standard of education for their children as they would if they were civilians; The provision of education for all Service children from pre-school to age 19; The transfer of information about pupils between schools, in particular pupils with Special Educational Needs; The effectiveness of the financial support schemes for all Service families; The adequacy of oversight and monitoring of Service Children’s education. Please let us know your thoughts before the 9 Jan 13. Completing our 'Contact form' is the easiest way to register your view...More information »

Before they Break Up...

Service parents with children in State funded schools in England are encouraged to ensure that the Head Teacher of their Child(ren)'s school is made aware of their Service status for the Spring School Census which will be conducted on 17 Jan 13. This is the only way the school can then claim the Service Pupil Premium, worth £300 per child, to provide pastoral and/or other additional support for their Service children...More information »

Looking for Volunteers to go to Lourdes at Easter

The RAF HCPT Pilgrimage Trust Group takes children aged 7-18 with disabilities and/or special needs on a weeks holiday to Lourdes every Easter. The group is made up of CRB-cleared RAF personnel including medical staff. If you know of a child from the RAF community who would like to join them for Easter 13 or you are able to volunteer (they are especially men at the moment!) for this rewarding cause please contact...More information »

Government gives extra funds to injured personnel, Service children and Reserves

The Government is showing commitment to Armed Forces personnel by giving extra financial support to injured Service personnel, Service children and Reserves. There is a £5 million boost for the Headley Court; The Pupil Premium is increased from £250 to £300 per pupil and in a new measure civil servants from Government Departments who volunteer as Reservists will be guaranteed a 10 days Special Paid Leave...More information »

Policy Change to the Residential Support Scheme

The Residential Support Scheme provides help with the accommodation costs of learners aged 16 and over, who need to live away from home to study because their course is not available locally. The MoD have worked with the Young People Learning Agency and the Department for Education to address an existing unfairness for those serving overseas and have now secured an agreement to make them eligible for RSS...More information »

Child Maintenance Changes

All partnership breakdowns involving children are likely to be stressful and distracting and there is a move to do more to encourage Armed Forces personnel to be better informed of the implications and to encourage them to make their own maintenance arrangements, rather than have the CMEC system chase them...More information »

Directorate Children & Young People Explained

The Directorate Children & Young People has the MoD lead for Service children and young people. It exists to ensure that every Service child, wherever he or she is living in the world has the best possible opportunity to achieve their full potential. The Department works at the highest levels within the MoD and across Other Government Departments and Devolved Administrations to make sure Service Children achieve...See full details