A guide for families and schools
Deployments can be a challenging time for service families in and around Plymouth, with unique emotional and logistical pressures. For service members and their families, the separation often requires robust community and institutional support systems, particularly for children navigating the complexities of school life. Here, we explore ways to support service families during deployments, with a focus on how schools can play a vital role in providing stability and care.
Understanding the Impact of Deployments
Deployments involve long periods of separation, often in uncertain or high-stress circumstances. This can lead to:
- Emotional strain: Anxiety, sadness, and feelings of isolation are common for family members left at home.
- Disrupted routines: Adjustments to household responsibilities and daily life.
- Educational challenges for children: Reduced focus, behavioural changes, or a need for additional emotional support in school.
Recognising these challenges is the first step in providing meaningful support.
How Schools Can Support Service Children
Children from service families often feel the effects of deployment deeply, as they cope with the absence of a parent while maintaining educational and social routines. Schools can be a cornerstone of support through the following strategies:
1. Awareness and Training for Staff
- Service Children’s Progression Thriving Lives Toolkit: This toolkit provides schools with a framework of 7 principles through which to reflect on their practice and a 3-tier set of CPD resources about what they can do to support their Service children, which can be accessed here; https://thrivinglives.scipalliance.org/.
- Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Support: For some children who may have additional needs, school staff may need to collaborate with SEND specialists, as some service children may need tailored interventions. Schools can use their MAST Link Educational Psychologist as a first step to discussing a child’s needs for guidance and support.
2. Emotional Well-being Initiatives
- Pastoral Support: Assign a trusted adult in the school whom the child can approach if they feel overwhelmed.
- Mental Health Resources: Partner with organisations like Huggable Heroes (Huggable Heroes - Helping with separation anxiety), Young Minds or Kooth to provide emotional and mental health resources.
- Support Groups: Create small, peer-led groups for service children to share their experiences in a safe space.
3. Curriculum and Learning Adjustments
- Flexible Deadlines: Allow leniency with deadlines with homework during particularly challenging times.
- Creative Projects: Encourage activities like journaling, artwork, or letter-writing that help children express their feelings about deployment.
4. Communication and Collaboration
- Regular Updates: Maintain consistent communication with the non-deployed parent or caregiver about the child's progress and emotional well-being.
- Family Engagement Events: Organize events where families can gather to foster a sense of community.
5. Celebrating Military Connections
- Armed Forces Day: Host events to celebrate the service of military families and educate other students about the armed forces.
- Hero Walls: Create a display in the school where children can showcase photos or stories of their deployed family members.
- Month of the Military Child- April is the month that we celebrate service children and the contributions they make to the armed forces community; follow this link to ideas of how to celebrate Month of the Military Child - GOV.UK
Practical Ways to Support Service Families
- Community Connections: Encourage families to connect with local support groups, such as the Royal British Legion or SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity). These organisations provide emotional and practical assistance.
- Counselling Services: If required, access to specialised counselling for family members struggling with the emotional impact of deployment could be considered.
- Peer Networks: Facilitate connections among service families for shared experiences and advice.
- Communication Tools: Ensure families have access to reliable communication channels with their deployed loved ones, such as video calls or letter-writing programs.
While deployment periods eventually end, the transition back can also be a delicate time for service families. Schools and communities should remain engaged, helping families reintegrate and addressing any lingering challenges.
To conclude, supporting UK service families during deployments requires a collaborative approach involving schools, community organisations, and employers. By fostering understanding, providing emotional support, and creating inclusive environments, we can ease the burden on these families and ensure they feel valued and cared for throughout this challenging period. Schools, in particular, have the unique opportunity to serve as pillars of stability for children, helping them thrive despite the challenges they face.
Further useful links to support for service families;
Support Armed Forces | Ex Forces Help | Royal British Legion
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity
Families and Relationships | The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
Charity for Bereaved Military Children | Scotty's Little Soldiers
Forces families | Home-Start UK
Plymouth- HMNB Devonport | Kings Camps
NFF | Service Family Support & Parenting
Learn about the support we offer families of the Armed Forces. | Help For Heroes
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