RAF Families Moving Survey
Background
The majority of families who replied were living in quarters or substitute families accommodation (83%).
On average respondents had 14 weeks notification of posting and 5 weeks notification of SFA/substitute address.
The RAF aims to issue, where possible, posting instructions a minimum of 90 days before the date of posting. In addition, Open Door privileges have been extended to all ranks and this, in conjunction with posting preferences on annual appraisal reports, allow family circumstances to be made fully visible to the desks/drafters.
DE is staffing revised allocation arrangements for SFA; DE should be able to provide notice of address within 14 days (10 working days) of an application being received up to 4 months prior to the required date (which may be 28 days either side of the posting date). DE proposes to trial the revised arrangements for a period of one year once an implementation date has been agreed.
Additional Information: Defence Estates (DE)
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24% of those with children reported problems in obtaining a school place, with 4% still unable to find a satisfactory solution at the time of the survey.
The most frequently reported difficulties in obtaining school places were the lack of available places in the local area/preferred school, difficulties in allocation/ entry to school due to short notice postings, difficulties due to transferring between the English and the Scottish education systems/ differences between school syllabuses, and a lack of information about schools.
It is hoped that DE's aim to provide notice of address much earlier will go some way towards easing the difficulties of school admissions. Work is also ongoing to improve liaison between RAF stns and their local schools with the view to creating a better understanding within the schools of the specific difficulties for Service families.
Professional help on school admissions is available through the Service Children's Education agency (SCE). SCE is responsible for providing support for Service families (and entitled civilians) in obtaining appropriate educational facilities for their children, and providing high quality information and impartial advice on all aspects of education worldwide, including the provision of information on UK and overseas schools, maintaining a register for children with special educational needs and liaising with LEAs. The contact number for SCE is Upavon (94344) extension 8244 or .
Additional Information: Service Children's Education (SCE)
Additional Information: Special Needs
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11% of those with children had a child(ren) with Special Educational Needs, with 13% (20) of these experiencing problems obtaining a suitable school.
37 respondents reported having a family member requiring special needs equipment. 16 of these experienced difficulties when moving and 8 managed to resolve their own problems.
It is hoped that the provision of timely advice (which is available from SCE) on the special educational needs policy in the area the family is moving into, combined with earlier notice of posting and improved local liaison, will ameliorate the difficulties caused by relocation.
Similarly, an improved flow of information and more streamlined relocation procedures should help reduce difficulties relating to special needs equipment.
Additional Information: Special Needs
Additional Information: Service Children's Education (SCE)
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89% of respondents reported they had had no problem obtaining a GP, with only 3% not able to find a satisfactory solution by the time of the survey.8% of respondents reported at least one family member had been on an NHS waiting list prior to their move. 33% of these encountered difficulties obtaining healthcare from the new NHS Trust, with 18% unable to find a satisfactory solution at the time of the survey.
Additional Information: Local Services Search
Work is ongoing to facilitate the establishment of local liaison between RAF stns and local primary healthcare practices (medical and dental) with a view to working together to develop ways of meeting the anticipated needs of Service families.
The Department of Health has confirmed that in future NHS Trusts in England would be required to take account of time spent on a waiting list in a previous Trust area. Instructions will be issued shortly to Service families on action to be taken when moving between Trust areas to ensure that time already spent on waiting lists is carried forward. Additionally, it has been found that those families who enlist the support and advice of their GP or consultant during a move have experienced fewer difficulties
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30% of respondents reported a problem finding an NHS dentist, with 15% unable to find a satisfactory solution at the time of the survey.
Finding a solution often meant registering as a private patient, taking out a private dental treatment plan, or returning to a previous dentist.
Additional Information: Local Services Search
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3% of respondents cited difficulties caused by the late notice of posting, 5% cited problems relating to a lack of support from DE, and 2% commented that the negative effects of moving had impacted their intention to remain in the Service.
Work is ongoing to identify the problems associated with the relocation of Service personnel and their families and reduce their impact, and to develop a 'one-stop-shop' concept to improve the co-ordination of the relocation process and ameliorate the problems caused by short notice postings. In addition, DE is exploring ways to improve the support provided to families on relocation, including earlier notification of address and pre-march in inspection to ensure an acceptable standard of accommodation, including cleanliness.
Additional Information: Unit / Stations
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