If you need help with your child’s education or childcare, where can you turn? AFF Education & Childcare Specialist, Anna Hutchinson explains…
WHO CAN HELP ME IN THE UK?
Local authorities
All local authorities across the UK have a website with detailed information about schooling and childcare offers in their area. This is a good starting point in your search for information especially around admissions and appeals processes when wanting to access school places.
Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK)
If you are having issues with finding suitable school places or your child has special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) which may need greater support during the admission process, then the EAT (UK) are on hand to help. Part of Defence Children Services (DCS) within the MOD, this is a team of education professionals who are available to advise and support families in their efforts to find appropriate educational settings for their children.
They can also advise families about their parental rights and responsibilities and about children’s and young people’s rights and responsibilities. They can advise on aspects of SEND, admissions and appeals, and they can help families think about things to consider when looking into boarding schools or those thinking of taking up the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).
“We approached the EAT for help with an appeal for a secondary school space for our Year 7 child and they were able to identify a ground for appeal that we had not considered before which meant our appeal ended up being more robust than it might have been. The team was professional, and we felt well supported as we put together our appeal information ready to share with the panel in our local area.” – Parent, south-east England
EAT (UK) can be contacted at RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk
WHO CAN HELP ME WITH SCHOOLING OVERSEAS?
Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST)
If you are moving overseas and are unsure where to start with accessing support, then DCS also has the OEST to help families. The OEST can give information, advice and guidance regarding the education of children in overseas locations.
It also oversees the DCS confirmation of supportability which all children aged between 0-18 must have before moving overseas.
When considering an overseas posting, the OEST urges you to get in contact as soon as possible so it can ensure that families are well informed about their child’s schooling and follow the necessary timelines for getting permissions in place before leaving the UK. When you receive confirmation of an overseas assignment, it is important to get both DCS confirmation of supportability and medical clearance before you progress with any other elements of your assignment. This includes arranging removals, cancelling appointments or even partners handing their notice in. They can be contacted at RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk
Virtual School
The MOD Virtual School (MODVS) supports children who live overseas and who are electively home educated or are in parts of the world without a DCS school.
It works in partnership with schools and families to ensure children are accessing their education, achieving at school and is available to support with any safeguarding issues that a family or school may have. Please be aware that the MODVS can only be accessed when the child has arrived in location. Contact RC-DCS-HQ-MODVS@mod.gov.uk