The detail on COBSEO clusters
The Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) hosts a number of different cluster groups to help collaborative working between charities and to ensure that issues are raised and solutions and actions identi...
A healthy slice of parenting paradise
Shared Parental Leave (ShPL) gives you more choice in how you care for your child during their first year. If you’re a working parent, you can opt to share up to 50 weeks leave, and up to 37 weeks of statutor...
Juggling childcare and work during school holidays
Juggling childcare and working can be especially tricky during the school holidays and many families ask AFF for signposting to holiday activities in their area. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all...
Therapy programme for military children
Little Troopers runs a free tri-service therapy programme offering military-specific support for school-aged children in England from reception to age 18.
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the p...
Fostering as an army family
AFF often receives enquires about fostering and this is something that is encouraged by both the MOD and the chain of command as they recognise the demand for loving, secure homes for looked after children.
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The impact of separation on non-UK army families
Separation is part and parcel of army life, but how do overseas deployments affect non-UK families in particular?
Here AFF’s F&C team, made up of qualified immigration advisors, outlines some recent case...
To board or not to board? Military families’ experiences
Choosing a boarding school for your children is an important decision wherever you’re based. Whilst many of AFF’s enquiries relate to allowances, there are other costs and benefits that you ought to consider ...
School support during separation
Families approach AFF regularly to ask for support for their child when the serving parent goes away. The absence of a parent can cause many different feelings and emotions for children, with many parents tel...
Getting your finances in order
In terms of admin and finance, there’s a lot to prepare ahead of deployments, operations and exercises, so what do you need to think about when you’re spending time apart? AFF Money & Allowances Specialis...
Separated by service
What support is available to those separated by deployment and training? And how can those at home, help themselves? Jill Misson reports…
With the focus on readiness, many personnel are away training and for...