Career Transition Partnership: Employment Fair in Salford on 10 Sept

CTP Employment Fairs are open to:

Service leavers
Veterans
Reservists
Partners and spouses

Service leavers/veterans/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Next upcoming dates are:

Bournemouth - 24 Sept
Belfast - 14 Oct
Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html

Recruit for Spouses: Your Summer Refresher – How RFS Supports You

Recruit for Spouses have a Summer newsletter with information about their support programmes and how they can help in terms of both employment and wellbeing.

To read the newsletter in full, please go to: Your Summer Refresher: How RFS Supports You

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: 28 Executive Officer Recruitment Consultant roles across London – closing date 5 Aug

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have a total of 28 Executive Officer (EO) Recruitment Consultant vacancies across London. These may be of interest to Service leavers, veterans and Service community members looking at Civil Service roles.

Civil Service Jobs link with further information on the roles available, and application details:

Universal Credit Job Centre - EO Recruitment Consultant Role - London (Ref: 770) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

The closing date is 29 July.

Places where Kids Eat Free (or for £1) - Summer Holidays 2026

https://moneysavingcentral.co.uk/kids-eat-free

New early years childcare scheme, UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) to launch from September 2026

New early years childcare scheme, UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) to launch from September 2026

Please note that some links within this article are only accessible to those with MODnet and Defence Connect access.

Are you planning to use Defence childcare schemes from September?

Information and updates about new and existing Defence childcare schemes.

UKNA is a new Defence childcare scheme that will support eligible working Service families who live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will reimburse the difference in early years childcare costs, matching the “free” (Government funded) childcare hours they would be entitled to if assigned to England.

Note: UKNA does not provide childcare spaces, it is a reimbursement of costs incurred when eligible working families pay for early years childcare.

For detailed policy information including the eligibility criteria search ‘UK Nursery Authority’ at DINs Search (Defnet) or Group: Defence Instruction Notices - DIN's | Defence Connect.

Why is UKNA being introduced?

Defence recognises the importance of supporting service families. Service families can be assigned anywhere in the world, however the funded early years childcare offer differs across the UK. Families assigned to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive fewer Government funded childcare hours than similar working families in England or those assigned overseas. UKNA has been developed to address this difference for working families.

Defence remains committed to supporting our dedicated personnel who serve to protect our nation, alongside our families who make extraordinary sacrifices to support them.

See the UKNA announcement (March 2026)

Who is eligible for UKNA?

• Regular or Full-Time Reserve Service (Full Commitment) personnel.
• The family lives in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Both parents or a sole parent in a lone parent family meets the minimum earnings threshold of at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the UK National Minimum or Living Wage.
• Either parent or a sole parent in a lone parent family does not exceed the maximum earnings threshold of £100,000 adjusted net income per year.
• Child is recorded and verified on JPA.
• An active Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account is in place for the child. Active means that parents reconfirm eligibility every 3 months and receive the top up from HMRC when they add money to the account. 
• The childcare provider accepts TFC payments; all UKNA claims must first be paid via the child’s active TFC account.
• Child lives with the Service parent for at least 50% of the time except when separated for service reasons.  

How can Service personnel register for UKNA?

Registration information will be available from September 2026.

To get ready for registration, check that:

• You meet the eligibility criteria
• Your child has an active Tax-Free Childcare account
• Your child is recorded on JPA.

If you need help with JPA, contact your unit HR.

UKNA claims information

The number of hours that can be claimed via the UKNA reimbursement scheme differs between locations because the Government offers in those locations differ:

• For children aged between 9 months and 2 years old, eligible families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can claim up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks per year.
• In Northern Ireland, families with children aged 3 can claim up to 30 hours weekly for 38 weeks, while those with 4-year-olds can claim up to 17.5 hours per week for 38 weeks per year.

UKNA is a reimbursement for childcare costs; it is deemed an extra income which makes it a ‘taxable benefit’ by HMRC. To offset this, Defence pays extra to cover any tax and National Insurance (NI) payments you may incur when making UKNA claims – this is called grossing up. This process can have a knock-on effect on your individual tax and NI allowance and brackets.

You can find further information about UKNA and grossing up on the Defence Childcare Information Page.

Information about how to submit claims will be added prior to the scheme launch.

UKNA bedding-in

UKNA is a new scheme, and as it is implemented, some minor adjustments may be required where aspects have not been fully captured in the guidance or are not working as intended. We have a mailbox that is monitored Monday to Friday, so if you have any questions about the scheme that we haven’t covered, or if you notice that something isn’t quite right, please let us know, our email address is included at the bottom of this article. There will be no changes to the policy rules, however your feedback will help us to make amendments to guidance where needed, which may help other families using the scheme.

We will be holding a Q&A session for families in September, so please look out for that being advertised.

Early years funded childcare overseas

All families in England with children aged 3 to 4 years old, and 2-year-old children, in receipt of additional government support, are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week. This is known as the ‘universal entitlement’.

For eligible working families, the entitlement is 30 hours per week for children aged 9 months old to school age. These entitlements are capped at the equivalent of 38 weeks per year.

In overseas locations where the children of entitled Defence staff have no statutory entitlement to access host nation provision, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) delivers the same entitlement through places at Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and settings or through access to the MOD Overseas Nursery Authority, (ONA) (GOV.UK).

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme including Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO)

The WAC scheme (including PSACO) provides eligible Service families with better flexibility and affordable childcare support.

Eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if child is in receipt of UK disability benefits) can claim up to 20 hours per week of funding for each child attending before and after school care during term time (up to 39 weeks per year).

Wraparound Childcare is known as ‘Out of School care’ in Wales and ‘School Age Childcare’ in Scotland.

The PSACO scheme provides a reimbursement of costs for before and after school childcare in overseas locations where due to local rules or regulations it is not possible for WAC eligibility criteria to be met, or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available.

WAC and PSACO funding do not provide childcare spaces; the funding is a reimbursement for costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

When to register for WAC or PSACO

Eligible Service personnel with 4-year-old children starting full-time education (reception / P1 (including home education)) in the autumn term can register from 01 September.

If your children are already registered, you do not need to re-register unless your account shows your child as de-registered. De-registration can happen when there are changes to your JPA record such as a new assignment.

Update to WAC and PSACO capped hourly rates

The WAC and PSACO capped hourly rates are updated each year prior to the start of the autumn term. The rates may go both up and down. This will affect the amount that can be claimed. The updated rates will be published in the DIN, and on the Defence Childcare Information Page on defnet or Defence Connect.

Where to find further information about Defence childcare schemes

For detailed policy information including the eligibility criteria search the relevant DIN - ‘UK Nursery Authority’ / ‘Wraparound Childcare’ / ‘Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas’ / ‘Early Years Funded Childcare Overseas’ at DINs Search (Defnet) or Group: Defence Instruction Notices - DIN's | Defence Connect.

Defence Childcare Information Page defnet or Defence Connect

Discover My Benefits webpage (www)

Childcare for Service children - GOV.UK

Have questions?

Personnel and Service families can email the policy team:

For UKNA or ONA People-affs-child-expenses@mod.gov.uk

For WAC or PSACO People-affs-wac-fro-mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Office for Veterans’ Affairs: VALOUR employment opportunities – closing date 27 Jul

Please visit: VALOUR: corporate information - GOV.UK

Within the above link there is information about VALOUR, as well as links to all of the job vacancies that are currently available to apply for UK-wide.

Please note that external vacancies close on 27 July.

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/families/

MoneyHelper Information: AI and Financial Decisions

 

AI & financial decisions – what you need to know

Introduction

Research surveys suggest AI can boost confidence, but that confidence doesn’t always translate into improved financial decision making or outcomes. A study reported by Fortune found that while many millennials and Gen Z users reported felling more confident after using AI for financial advice, over 50% of them also said it had led them to make at least one poor financial decision. Feeling more confident doesn’t always mean the information is accurate.

Here’s what you need to know before relying on AI for budgeting, saving or investing.

What AI can do

Ask an AI tool to explain a confusing financial term, and it’ll do it in seconds. Want help drafting a letter to your energy provider? No problem. Need a simple budget? It can build one in minutes. AI tools may be able to:

• explain financial terms in simple language
• summarise long documents, like terms and conditions
• help you compare options based on the criteria you give it
• create budgets or savings plans tailored to your goals
• help you role‑play tricky conversations, like negotiating a bill or asking for a refund.

Forces Employment Charity: Discover careers in consulting and retail banking

McKinsey and Metro Bank have partnered with the Forces Employment Charity to host an event that helps members of the Armed Forces community explore careers in consulting and retail banking and discover how their skills and experience can translate into these sectors.

The event will take place in London on 30 July, from 18:00 to 21:00.

This event is open to all Service leavers, veterans, reservists and spouses and partners within the military community. Spaces are limited, so if you're interested in learning more about careers in consulting and retail banking, apply today!

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 20 July.

Apply now: latest Covenant Fund Trust programmes

This month the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust are inviting applications for the Reducing Veterans Homelessness programme, Together for Service Families - Place-based grants, Supporting Partners programme and the Service Pupil Support programme.

To find out more about these grants and their application criteria, please visit: Open programmes - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

For other latest AFCFT news, please see the links below:

Now open for applications
Enter the Collaboration Lab
Help shape support for servicewomen
Have you completed our newsletter survey?
Local authority awards newsflash

Support for LGBT Veterans Impacted by the Armed Forces Ban (27 July 1967–12 January 2000)

Restorative Measures for LGBT Veterans Affected by the Armed Forces Ban (1967–2000)

The Ministry of Defence is delivering restorative measures to LGBT veterans impacted by the historic ban on LGBT personnel serving in the Armed Forces.

Measures Available are:

• Non-Financial Restorative Measures: Includes letters of apology, replacement discharge papers, restoration of rank/commission, the Etherton Ribbon, and more.

• Financial Recognition Scheme - Dismissed or Discharged Payment of £50,000 for LGBT veterans who were dismissed or discharged solely due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Financial Recognition Scheme – impact Payment of up to £20,000 to eligible LGBT veterans to recognise the broader impacts of the Ban, assessed by an Independent Panel.

Further information about the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, Non-Financial Restorative Measures, how to apply and support available can be found on the LGBT Veterans: support and next steps – GOV.UK page: LGBT veterans: support and next steps - GOV.UK

Financial Recognition Scheme payments are tax-free and will not affect means-tested benefits.

Eligible individuals must apply before both Schemes close at 23:59 on 12 December 2026

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 16 July 2026

FamCAS 2026: SFA Satisfaction Continues to Improve

The Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2026 has been published today, providing valuable insight into the experiences of Service families and the issues that matter most to them, including housing.

This year’s results show a continued improvement in satisfaction among families living in SFA, building on the positive progress seen in recent years. Overall satisfaction has increased from 44% in 2023 to 53% in 2026, while levels of dissatisfaction have fallen over a number of key areas. Families have reported seeing the strongest improvements in maintenance and repairs, reflecting the continued work to improve the quality of homes and the support provided to Service families.

For further information, see the full article on Defence Homes here.

Keeping Communal Areas Clear

Residents are reminded not to leave rubbish, personal belongings, bicycles, Electric Powered Personal Vehicles (EPPVs), or any other items in communal corridors, stairways, landings, or access routes. Items left in these areas can create significant safety hazards, obstruct access and escape routes, and hinder emergency services during a fire or other emergency incident.

Where storage is required, residents should contact their local Housing Officer to check whether suitable storage facilities are available for items such as bicycles or Electric Powered Personal Vehicles.

Thank you for your support in helping to keep communal areas clear, safe, and accessible for all residents.

Hose Pipe Ban for areas across the UK

Following a period of intense summer heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, water demand has increased significantly across parts of the UK. As a result, a number of water companies have introduced temporary hosepipe bans. Please check with your water provider to find out whether restrictions apply in your area.

Service Police complaints: New website now live

New website now live

The Service Police Complaints Commissioner (SPCC) has launched a new website – giving everyone in the Defence community a central place to find information about Service Police complaints and how to get help if things go wrong.

Acting SPCC, Jonathan Rees KC said:
“Service Police are committed to serving our Armed Forces community with integrity, fairness and accountability – and the SPCC provides independent oversight of complaints and conduct matters that relates to their work.

"Our new website makes it easier for people to understand who we are, how to access our services, and how we work independently. We are here to support those who are unhappy with how they were treated, to investigate where conduct and behaviour may have fallen short of the high standards that should be upheld, and to recognise where Service Police are working effectively – so that good practice and learning can be shared to support improvements.

"If you have had a poor experience with the Service Police, the website provides a clear route for raising your concerns and we are committed to providing fair, independent and timely decisions."

Independent watchdog for Service policing
The SPCC is an independent body, operating entirely separately from the Service Police, Defence and Government. It performs a similar function to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – the organisation responsible for overseeing complaints about civilian police in England and Wales – but with responsibility for the Service Police.

It is important to know and understand that the SPCC has a specific role. Unlike the Armed Forces Commissioner, the SPCC only deals with complaints about Service policing.

A resource for all
The website is for everyone in the Defence community – Regular and Reserve personnel, Service family members, civil servants, and anyone subject to Service law or Service discipline.

It is also useful for specialists who work in the Service police complaints space – such as police officers, Professional Standards Department staff and legal colleagues.

Commanding officers, policy leads and welfare leads will find it helpful too, explaining the role they can play in pointing people towards the right support.

What you will find on the website

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: 91 Executive Officer roles across Wales and The Marches – closing date 29 Jul

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have a total of 91 Executive Officer (EO) Work Coach vacancies across Wales and The Marches. These may be of interest to Service leavers, veterans and Service community members looking at Civil Service roles.

Civil Service Jobs links with further information on the roles available, and application details:

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach – Wales and the Marches (Ref: 769)

The closing date is 29 July.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): 8 DWP Administrative Officer positions in Bristol, Camberley, Gloucester, Maidenhead, Staines, and Swindon – closing extended to 21st Jul

CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO 21 JULY 2026

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme (8 vacancies in total):

GFIE-494 – DWP Administrative Officer positions in Bristol, Camberley, Gloucester, Maidenhead, Staines, and Swindon

Job description: Administrative Officer

GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EoI Form (also see Guidance Notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Give Us Time: Summer/Autumn update 2026 & last-minute France break

Give Us Time have published their latest welfare update, covering the remainder of the summer and autumn breaks.

They also have a last-minute break to France available 22 - 29 August. The gite sleeps up to 4 people, but is not pet friendly unfortunately.

Families will be required to cover the costs of their travel, food, entertainment etc, as well as taking their own bedding for the stay. Full details of the property are in the attached brochure. 

As always

- breaks are booked on a first come first served basis
- families must be signed up on the Give Us Time website to make a booking

Find out more at www.giveustime.org.uk

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): DWP Case Worker - Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Barnsley. Closing date 31 Jul

The following vacancy is now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE-492 DWP Case Worker - Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - Barnsley

Job description

GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EoI Form (also see Guidance Notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Building Heroes Programmes - Register Now for Autumn 2026

Building Heroes will be welcoming learners back onto our funded training programmes from mid-September, with courses starting again across our national academy network.

Our programmes are designed specifically to support members of the Armed Forces community to gain practical skills, recognised qualifications and valuable insight into construction and built environment careers.

Depending on location and availability, our programmes include:

• Construction Multi Skills
• Green Skills and Retrofit
• Groundworks and Streetworks

We will also be launching new programmes in the new year, including Engineering and Welding.

With some courses already fully booked for the first one or two cohorts of the new academic year, now is the time to register your interest so you do not miss out on your place with Building Heroes.

Our programmes are delivered across a growing number of regions, including:

• Darlington, County Durham
• Reaseheath, Cheshire
• Ibstock, Leicestershire
• Heybridge, Essex
• Wembley, London
• Drayton, Oxfordshire
• Andover, Hampshire
• Salisbury, Wiltshire
• Plymouth, Devon

With academies located across the country, there may be a Building Heroes programme close to where you plan to resettle. This means you can gain training in the region where you hope to live after service, while also meeting employers and industry partners in that local area.

If you are within your final 18 months of service, have already transitioned from the Armed Forces, are a Reservist, or are an immediate family member keen to upskill, our programmes can help you take a positive next step.

Our training provides:

• Valuable knowledge of the construction and built environment sector
• Practical skills and recognised qualifications, which may include a Diploma, Health and Safety Award and CSCS card, depending on the programme
• Funded training to help you build confidence in your capabilities alongside specialist tutors
• Employability support, underpinned by knowledgeable employability and career coaching specialists
• Confidence and insight to support transition into civilian life
• Access to our wider support offer, including guidance, employer engagement and links to our network of industry partners
• A pathway towards meaningful second careers after service

Places are limited and demand is already high for the autumn term, so we encourage you to register your interest as soon as possible.

To find out more and apply, please visit:

www.buildingheroes.org.uk/courses

Defence children Services: Supporting Armed Forces children’s transitions between education systems - Educators’ toolkit

This transition resource was developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. This involved officials from Government Departments, local authority officers, schools and Service charities from across the UK. It is designed to complement and strengthen existing practice, helping educators support effective transitions in educational settings.

Service parents with children who are moving schools across devolved nations may wish to highlight this guidance to the education professionals that they are liaising with.

To read the guidance in full online, please go to: Transition

There is also an option to download the whole booklet at this link: https://dcs.school/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026051504_BetweenEducationsystems_Transitionstoolkit_FINAL.pdf

Future Forces Days at RAF Halton: 4th and 5th August, for young people aged 10-16 yrs

RAF Halton’s Training Squadron have organised a FREE event on the Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th August for young people aged 10-16 yrs. Participants will take part in trade-related activities, games and challenges, giving them an insight into careers in the RAF. It will be a fun and engaging opportunity to meet new friends and an opportunity to try something different.

If anyone would like a space their appropriate parent/guardian should email futureforcesday@gmail.com to register their interest. Please note there are only 80 spaces available, which will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Once a place has been confirmed, a confirmation email will be sent with further information including;

• The event address
• Consent/permission form
• A kit list of what to bring
• Arrival and collection details

Participants should be available both days and be dropped up and collected each day.