Between 2024 and 2025, Brunel University of London conducted an independent evaluation of the Service Children’s Champion (SCC) role at North Yorkshire Council. The review explored how the role supports children from Armed Forces families, their schools, and the wider community.
The findings show that the SCC role delivers significant, wide‑reaching, and cost‑effective impact, and should be sustained and replicated nationally.
Key findings
1. A Vital Advocate for Service Children
The SCC plays a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for Armed Forces families, and ensuring that children’s voices and lived experiences are recognised.
The evaluation highlighted the SCC’s ability to help children feel proud of their identity and ensure their unique challenges are understood across schools and services.
2. Strong Relationships and Community Support
The SCC acts as a central connector between families, schools, Armed Forces units, and local authority teams.
This relationship‑based approach helps families feel supported during deployment, transition, and mobility — times when pressures are highest.
3. High‑Impact Events and Activities
A diverse programme of events has reached thousands of children and families across North Yorkshire, including:
- Armed Forces Day for Children (2,512 participants)
- Festival of Remembrance (2,845 participants)
- Remembrance Art Workshops (776 participants)
- Month of the Military Child (1,125 participants + assemblies shared with 230 schools)
- Service Children Awards (407 nominations)
- The Big Conversation (75 participants)
These activities help children build confidence, express their experiences, and feel part of a strong, supportive community.
4. Positive and Measurable Impact on Children and Schools
Stakeholder feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
- SCC activities had a significant impact on Service children.
- All stakeholders rated the continuation of the role as very important.
- Schools reported improved wellbeing, behaviour, attendance, and parental engagement.
- Tailored 1:1 support was viewed as vital for children dealing with deployment, mobility, trauma or loss.
5. High‑Quality Professional Development for Schools
The Service Children’s Champion provides practical CPD, resources, and training that help schools understand Armed Forces life, transitions, emotional impact, and the effective use of the Service Pupil Premium.
The introduction of Service Children Advocates (SCAs) helps embed long‑term sustainability in schools.
6. Strategic Leadership That Aligns With National Priorities
The role aligns with:
- The Armed Forces Covenant
- The UK Armed Forces Families Strategy
- MODLAP (Ministry of Defence Local Authority Partnership) guidance
Why the Service Children’s Champion Role Must Continue
Brunel University concluded that the role is:
- Essential for supporting mobility, deployment and wellbeing challenges
- Cost‑effective, maximising impact through partnerships
- Uniquely positioned to build belonging and resilience
- Highly valued by children, families, schools, military partners and local authority teams
- Proven to create long‑term positive outcomes for Service children
To maintain and expand this impact, the report emphasises the need for sustainable long‑term funding and a role profile that reflects the scale of responsibilities.
