Assigned overseas? Have your say on Service family life

Survey link in text below: 

If you and your partner are assigned overseas, Defence wants to hear from you on what Service family life is like. Share anonymous feedback in the Overseas Families Survey.

Tell Defence what information and support has helped you and your family while serving overseas, and what could be better. Here are some areas you’ll be asked about in the survey:

• spousal / partner employment
• education and childcare
• communications
• safeguarding

Your feedback will help to inform Defence’s policies and initiatives to better meet the needs of you and your family.

How to complete the survey

You can complete the survey online. You and your partner can share your views individually using same survey link. The survey is open to all Regular and Reserve Service personnel and their spouses / civil partners. Please be assured that survey responses are anonymous.

You have until Saturday 30 August to make your voice heard.

Bovington: Are you due to move to Bovington, Lulworth or Blandford?

Are you (or someone you know) due to be posted to Bovington, Lulworth or Blandford soon?
If so contact Bovington HIVE to request pre-arrival information.

Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-Bovington-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Core information sheets are available from the HIVE and contain useful information on accommodation,employment,health & wellbeing, finance, childcare,schools & adult education as well as location overview of community amenities, facilities and activities etc. There is also help with general queries regarding the local area.

Bovington HIVE can also provide you with information sheets on other locations across the UK and overseas. Please call in to speak to the HIVE information officer or use the contact details above.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Scotland: Welcome to Scotland Guide updated for 2025

The Scottish Government Welcome to Scotland guide has now been updated for 2025.

Welcome to Scotland is a guide to support service personnel and their families upon their move to Scotland. 

Due to the moving nature of service personnel and their families they can be transferred to different bases. 

This guide gives key information on what to expect when moving to Scotland.

To read the guide in full click on image above 👆

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Highlands: The Military Liaison Group (MLG) - who, what, why

The Military Liaison Group (Education), often referred to as “The MLG”, is a tri-service Highland partnership that is committed to ensure that all Children and Young People from Armed Forces families thrive in Highland and suffer no disadvantage in their education due to being from a military family (Army, Navy or RAF) whether Serving, Reservist or Veteran.

You can find out more about the MLG and their partners in a new resource👉 MLG Education: Who What Why

This can also be accessed through the Armed Forces Highland website along with more information regarding the MLG 👉 Armed Forces Families Highland

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas launched 6 Jan 25

 
Are you ready to register?

Great news for Service families assigned to locations within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision. WAC Overseas is now available to eligible families in these areas from today (6 January 2025).

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?

The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time (39 weeks), to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC in the UK.

WAC Overseas mirrors the WAC scheme in the UK, it is a reimbursement from Defence to Service personnel of up to 80% of the costs of before and after school childcare. Capped hourly rates apply and can be found in 2022DIN01-079-Defence Wraparound Childcare Allowance. The remaining 20% is claimed from HMRC via an active Tax-Free Childcare account. WAC funding does not provide childcare spaces, it is funding for costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

Long-Term Relationship couples and families posted Overseas

 

The Armed Forces Accommodation Policy Team is thrilled with the feedback from more than 50 service members taking part in the Accompanied LTR(E) Overseas Pilot in Cyprus. Since its launch in January 2024, the pilot has provided valuable insights and personal stories showing just how life-changing this initiative has been for participants. Due to its success, the pilot has been extended until March 2027.

To ensure families feel supported, a tailored allowance package is available for pilot participants. Since allowances depend on the assignment location and individual circumstances, service personnel are encouraged to check specifics for their country.

Updated Volumes 4 (Pilots) and 5 (Overseas Accommodation Policy) of JSP 464 (with country appendices and allowances) to clarify any queries will be published soon.

Furthermore, effective immediately the Pilot has been extended to BATUS and some GDN (Global Defence Network) sites.

For further information please contact people-accom-asc@mod.gov.uk

Innsworth: Useful information from Imjin Barracks

 

Are you being posted to Imjin Station in Innsworth? Or living in SFA in one of the surrounding areas such as Ashchurch or Tewkesbury? Please see below for a number of links that should help you settle in to the community!

• Imjin Online Community Portal
• Welfare sway page - including events and an information welcome pack
• Imjin Station Community - Facebook page
• The ASC (ARRC Social Club) - Facebook page
• Innsworth Military Wives Choir - Facebook page

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Scotland: Enquire, the Scottish Advice Service for additional support for learning 'Moving to Scotland Guide'

Moving to a new country and education system can be a worrying and busy time for families with a child with additional support needs.

Enquire have explained the key information you need if your family is moving to Scotland. This includes how education and support work in Scotland, and what you can do to help get everything arranged for your child’s move.

To read the guide 👉 enquire.org.uk

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

Launch of new British Forces Cyprus community website

 

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

​This open source website will provide a one-stop shop for service personnel, UK based civilians and their families to access useful information about being assigned to Cyprus alongside key information for living in Cyprus. HIVE and the HIVE location guides for BFC are to be added soon.

It is an iterative project that will continue to develop and improve over time and will seek to replace what is a high volume of individual unit SharePoint sites, unofficial social media groups and old fashioned paper arrival packs.

The website will significantly improve the information available to personnel and their families, accessible in a way that modern communications demands, enabling the whole family to understand what they need to know to consider an assignment in Cyprus or what they practically need to do once assigned here.

You will find the link within the BFC Sites list on the BFC SharePoint Home page and under BFC Key Information.

Stage 2, through the Autumn Term, will be continuing to develop the generic information such as what information is needed for when families depart Cyprus and working with the Stations to enhance their information pages.

If you have any specific questions or wish to propose content please email our British Forces Cyprus Community Information Website email: BFC-HQ-CmntyWebManager@mod.gov.uk

Lyneham: Welcome packs now available to collect!

 

Please click image above to enlarge

Upon moving into SFA in Lyneham, you should have received an A6 postcard with contact details for Lyneham HIVE as well as a QR code for the Lyneham HIVE Location Guide.

Welcome packs have now been created with additional local information including Welfare contact info and bin collection details, plus posters from the AWS CDW and Welfare teams regarding what they can offer in the area.

If you would like a pack but are unable to collect, please email rc-pers-hive-lyneham-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust launches first new Armed Forces Covenant Fund programme for 2024/25 - Serving Families: On the Move

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched the first Covenant Fund programme under its exciting three-year Funding Framework.

Serving Families: On the Move is now open for applications for grants of up £120,000 for two-to-three-year projects that will improve the quality of life for Service families impacted by relocation as a direct result of Service life.

The Trust ran a public consultation in 2023, which identified that one of the key areas to focus on was ‘Reducing stress and challenges for Armed Forces families'. This family focused programme will address this aim by strengthening connections with local communities, leading to better support for those facing relocation as a direct result of Service. The consultation findings are available to read on The Trust website.

Inverness: Pupils from Armed Forces Families at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness have co-produced a ‘Welcome Book’ for new primary aged pupils from Armed Forces families arriving in the Highlands

Pupils from Armed Forces Families at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness have co-produced a wonderful ‘Welcome Book’ for new primary aged pupils from Armed Forces families arriving in the Highlands – but is a wonderful resource for any new Primary School pupil arriving.

The book is designed to be accessible for all, with options to click to listen or read text or both as you go through the book. They have talked about things that they want to highlight that are important to them when moving Schools.

The pupils hope you enjoy the book, that you share with those who will benefit and appreciate it and we can’t wait to hear your feedback. Click the image below to read the book.

To read the book 👉Book Creator | A Book to Welcome You!

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Preston & Weeton: Are you posted to the North/West?

Are you moving to the North/West?

If you are about to relocate to Preston or Weeton, please contact the HIVE office to request a pre-arrival information pack.

If you have just arrived in the area, HIVE will help you to find out more about your new location, where to register for doctors/dentists, find a nursery place, schools, employment, local area etc.

The HIVE also has information on all Army, RAF and Navy locations within the UK and overseas should you require information regarding a future posting.

Preston HIVE

Fulwood Barracks    - Tel. 01772 260025  (Mon, Tue)

Weeton Barracks     - Tel. 01772 260762  (Wed ,Thu & Frid) 

e-mail:  RC-Pers-HIVE-Preston-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk 

International HIVE (iHIVE) - launch of additional Overseas Location Guides (OLG's)

 

Further Overseas Location Guides (OLGs) have been added to the iHIVE Blog. Existing guides have also been updated.

The iHIVE Blog hosts worldwide location information, to enable Service personnel and their families to find out more about a potential or current overseas assignment.

Overseas Location Guides offer location specific information to give a brief insight into a location, with the facility to fine out more from iHIVE from questions you may have.

Additional Oversea Location Guides added include:

• Canberra
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• Kuala Lumpur

Contact Sarah at our iHIVE with any questions, or visit the iHIVE Blog and view the guides and range of information provided to support Serving Personnel and families worldwide.

For more information please visit: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/

New iHIVE poster

 

Please click image to enlarge

Did you know that contacting iHIVE is listed in the 'key actions to be taken' on the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist?

For Service Personnel and families moving overseas, the Overseas Location Compatibility Checklist provides an initial list of personal and domestic factors to be considered pre-application for an overseas assignment, to determine the suitability of the overseas location, for the Service person and their immediate/close family.​​

For more information on this, or for any questions you may have on any location worldwide, contact iHIVE via RC-Pers-HIVE-iHIVE-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk or +44 300 167 6864

You can also find ​the iHIVE Blog at: https://internationalhive.blogspot.com/. This platform hosts worldwide location information, including Overseas Location Guides, to enable Service personnel and their families find out more about a potential or current overseas assignment.

Our iHIVE HIVE Information Support Officer can also answer any questions that you may have, including regarding supportability for any specific in-country family requirements.

Argyll and Bute: Welcoming our Armed Forces - Argyll and Bute Council Education Service

A booklet has been released by the Argyll and Bute Council Education Service, with more than 40 pages of great information for families of Serving Personnel and Veterans in the Helensburgh and Lomond Areas.

To read the booklet click on the image above 👆

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Staffordshire, West Midlands and Shropshire: Are you on the move soon??

 Are you or someone you know due to be posted to Lichfield, Birmingham, Donnington, Ternhill, Bramcote or Kineton soon?

If so contact Lichfield HIVE Hub to request pre-arrival information.

Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-Lichfield-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Core information sheets are available from the HIVE and contain useful information on accommodation,employment,health & wellbeing, finance, childcare,schools & adult education as well as location overview of community amenities, facilities and activities etc. There is also help with general queries regarding the local area.

Lichfield HIVE Hub can also provide you with information sheets on other locations across the UK and overseas. Please call in to speak to the Area HIVE information officer or use the contact details above.

Information provided by Lichfield HIVE

Stafford: Are you on the move soon??

Are you or someone you know due to be posted to Stafford soon?

If so contact Stafford HIVE to request pre-arrival information.

Email: RC-Pers-HIVE-Stafford-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Core information sheets are available from the HIVE and contain useful information on accommodation,  employment, health & wellbeing, finance, childcare, schools & adult education as well as location overview of community amenities, facilities and activities etc. There is also help with general queries regarding the local area.

Stafford HIVE can also provide you with information sheets on other locations across the UK and overseas. Please call in to speak to the HIVE information officer or use the contact details above.

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

New policy & guidance for Overseas Assignments - assessment of support needs

Where Service/MOD Civilians and their families are considering an accompanied assignment/transfer overseas, the MOD needs to assess whether the services and support available/accessible in the overseas location can meet their individual needs. The purpose of this policy is to describe the framework under which those needs are assessed, how decisions on supportability should be made and to describe the key roles and responsibilities in the assessment and decision-making process.
To view the policy booklet, please click HERE​