Forces Children Scotland

Learn more about these findings and what needs to happen next: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/camouflag…

While many teachers and schools are aware of the needs of Forces pupils, there are gaps in system design and consistency. Children and young people told us they need understanding, consistency and support that follows them, rather than support that resets every time they move.

Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland asked us to gather the views of children and young people from Forces families on their educational experiences. This new report shows that Forces children are not always receiving the support they need at school.

That’s why we co-produced some resources with children and young people to help cope and prepare for this journey: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/the-deployment…

For children and young people with a serving parent or loved one, deployment can become part of everyday life, and it comes with many ups and downs. A parent’s upcoming deployment can bring a mix of emotions – it’s normal to feel nervous, sad or even angry.

forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/build-fai… #YoungCarersActionDay @CarersTrust

Being a young carer is challenging. Being a Forces young carer adds a layer of 'Service Life' that creates a unique set of hurdles. Here are some thoughts on how we can build fairer futures for young carers by championing Forces children’s rights.

This #YoungCarersActionDay, we're reflecting on how we can chart a fairer future for young carers from Forces families. @CarersTrust

While their peers might be worrying about homework or weekend plans, these young people are often managing medication, supporting a parent with PTSD, or running a household while a parent is deployed or the family is living away from base.

In homes across Scotland, there are children with additional responsibilities that can be overwhelming, and are often overlooked. They are the Forces young carers: children from Regular, Reservist and Veteran families who provide essential care for a loved one.

Our Deployment Rollercoaster is an interactive resource, co-produced with young people with experience of deployments. It is here to help young people from Armed Forces families navigate the ups and downs of deployment and might also be useful at times like this.

Deployment can be challenging, and the current global uncertainty might be reminding you of when your loved one has been away before or might have you worrying that they might go away again. These are normal things to worry about.

...in ways that aren’t immediately visible. They might not volunteer how they’re feeling, especially during classroom discussions, social studies lessons or when watching news coverage such as Newsround. A quiet check-in and a gentle offer of support can make a real difference.

We know that the news over the weekend, including the drone strike at RAF Akrotiri on Sunday, may feel worrying, especially if you are part of a Forces family. Teachers and others working with young people, please be mindful that pupils from Forces families may be affected...

Don't miss our upcoming webinar with Dandelion Military Families, a week from today. Book your free place and learn about the experiences, challenges and support available to Armed Forces parents: eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-conversat…

It can be challenging to put participation into practice, even when we recognise its importance. 🎥 Here are six practical ways you can embed youth voice and respect the rights of children and young people to be heard: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/six-ways-…

@scipalliance Thanks to this partnership, we are taking our monitoring and evaluation to the next level. Read more about how we're developing an outcomes framework that truly meets the needs of Forces children: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/one-day-w…

Last week, we spent a day thinking big about what we want to accomplish for babies, children and young people from Forces families. Joined by Dr. Liam Satchell, Director of the Impact Centre at @scipalliance, we reflected on how we measure our activities and goals.

With generous funding from @CovenantTrust, we'll be co-producing a Deployment Rollercoaster for younger children, developing resources to support them during this journey. Learn more: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/breaking-…

Recently, our participation team held sessions that invited children to explore their feelings with words and clay: ‘what is deployment? how we feel? and what is hard?’ We're embarking on a new project exploring the feelings that arise throughout a parent's deployment.