Military Family Support: Tools and Signposting for Family Hubs

Navigating Change: Helping Service Families Through Transitions 

Debra Barton from the Ministry of Defence, presents on why transition support is so important for our military families. 

https://youtu.be/GFz7j8VQiMw

Armed Forces Covenant

National promise ensuring fair treatment for serving personnel, veterans, and families.

Link: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk 

UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022–2032

Government strategy addressing healthcare, education, and accommodation for Armed Forces families.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-armed-forces-families-strategy-2022-to-2032

Service Pupils in Schools Guidance

Guidance to help schools support the wellbeing and attainment of Service children.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/service-pupils-in-schools-non-statutory-guidance

Childcare for Service Children

Information on funded childcare, wraparound childcare and overseas nursery provision.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childcare-for-service-children

MODLAP

Partnership between MOD and Local Authorities to support Service children.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-local-authority-partnership-modlap

Current membership:

• Birmingham
• Cornwall
• Dorset
• Essex
• Gloucestershire
• Hampshire
• Herefordshire
• Kent
• Lincolnshire
• North Yorkshire
• Oxfordshire
• Plymouth
• Portsmouth
• Rutland
• Somerset
• Staffordshire
• Suffolk
• Surrey
• Wiltshire

Army Families Federation (AFF)

Independent voice supporting Army families with education, housing, and mobility issues.

Link: https://aff.org.uk

Naval Families Federation (NFF)

Supports Royal Navy and Royal Marines families with welfare, education and advice.

Link: https://nff.org.uk

RAF Families Federation (RAF FF)

Supports RAF families with information, casework, and wellbeing guidance.

Link: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk

SSAFA

Provides welfare, housing, domestic abuse support and practical help for military families.

Link: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/military-families

Royal British Legion

Offers financial support, community connections and expert welfare guidance.

Link: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk

Help for Heroes

Supports veterans and their families with recovery, welfare and wellbeing services.

Link: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/welfare/family-support/

Little Troopers

Charity supporting military children through resources and emotional support.

Link: https://www.littletroopers.net

Aggie’s Storybook Waves

Allows deployed naval personnel to record stories for their children.

Link: https://aggies.org.uk/storybook-waves/

Home-Start Military Support

Provides volunteers offering practical and emotional help to military families.

Link: https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/news/helping-hand-supporting-military-families

Winston’s Wish – Military Bereavement

Specialist bereavement support for children with military-connected loss.

Link: https://winstonswish.org/death-through-military/

Scotty’s Little Soldiers

Provides long-term support for bereaved military children.

Link: https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk

SSAFA Bereavement Support

Specialist support for bereaved military families, including suicide bereavement.

Link: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/military-families/bereavement-support-groups

MOD Purple Pack

Official guidance for families following the death of a service member.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/purple-pack-bereavement-guide-for-families-of-service-personnel

AFBSS

Education funding for children of service personnel who died as a result of service.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-armed-forces-bereavement-scholarship-scheme

Armed Forces Covenant E-Learning

Training to help professionals understand Armed Forces family needs.

Link: https://covenantfund.org.uk/about-us/the-armed-forces-covenant/

Covenant Health Module

Healthcare-focused Covenant duty training.

Link: https://covenantfund.org.uk/resource/covenant-duty-explained-health/

Covenant Housing Module

Housing-focused support training for Armed Forces families.

Link: https://covenantfund.org.uk/resource/covenant-duty-explained-housing-senior-officers/

Early Years Armed Forces Champion Guidance

Supports Early Years settings in recognising and assisting young Service children.

Link: https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/family-support/

University of Chester – Armed Forces Community Training

Six-module programme for professionals supporting Armed Forces families.

Link: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/introduction-armed-forces-community

Celebrates the strength and resilience of military children each April.

April is the Month of the Military Child, a dedicated time to honour the resilience, sacrifices, and unique experiences of children from Armed Forces families. Celebrated annually, this month highlights the challenges of service life, including frequent moves and parental deployments, while raising awareness to help these children thrive in schools and communities. 

Key Aspects of the Month of the Military Child:

• The Dandelion Symbol: The official emblem is the dandelion, representing the ability of military children to bloom and put down roots wherever the wind carries them.
• Purple Up Day : Held on the last Friday of April in the UK, this day encourages wearing purple to symbolize the combined colours of all military branches (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard).
• Celebration & Support: Numerous organisations, such as Little Troopers and Forces Children Scotland, host events, competitions, and educational activities to celebrate these children and provide support to schools.
• Focus Areas: The month aims to recognize the strength, adaptability, and sacrifices of military children, while promoting awareness of their unique upbringing

Ideas to kickstart Month of the Military Child 2026

The Month of the Military Child is an opportunity to celebrate Service children and show them that they are a valuable member of the school community. Here are some ideas to try out during April.

24th April is ‘Purple Up! Day’. Ask the families to wear something purple (the colour of MotMC)

2. Put on a breakfast event. Include all parents associated with the armed forces. Don’t forget to invite staff who were once Service children too!

3. The charity Never Such Innocence is running an art/ poetry competition throughout April about Service children. Visit https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/month-of-the-military-child  for more details.

4. Highlight April as ‘Month of the Military Child’ on the Family Hub’s website. Discuss what support you can offer, particularly with families new to the area.

5. Consider hosting a ‘person in uniform day’. Invite a serving mother or father to come to the Family Hub to read to children or talk about their role in the services during a stay and play session

6. Create a Time Zone Wall: A series of clocks on a wall identifying different time zones from around the world, with a focus on where Service children have lived before is a great conversation starter.

Service children can face challenges with parents in the armed forces. Yet these children are an amazing asset to families, Family Hubs and the local community. The Month of the Military Child helps us remember this and helps us celebrate their achievements.

For further information contact: [email protected] 

Link: https://www.littletroopers.net/month-of-the-military-child/

Forces Children Scotland

Provides events and support for Scottish Armed Forces children.

Link: https://forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/understanding-forces-life/month-of-the-military-child/

Armed Forces Day

Annual celebration honouring serving personnel and families.

Link: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk

Storybook Waves

Recorded stories for children during deployment.

Link: https://aggies.org.uk/storybook-waves/

Reading Force

Shared reading initiative strengthening family bonds.

Link: https://www.readingforce.org.uk

Who Let the Dads Out…