Schools play a vital role in helping Service children feel secure, understood, and empowered—especially as they navigate mobility, transitions, and the emotional ups and downs of military life.
We’re here to stand beside teachers, support staff, and leaders with practical guidance, tailored resources, and training opportunities that make a real difference. Whether you’re welcoming a new Service child, planning transition support, or looking to strengthen pastoral care, we’ll help you create a school environment where every child can thrive.
Explore CPD sessions, wellbeing toolkits, and access our Service Children’s Network—all designed with Service children in mind.
How We Support Schools
CPD, Training & Professional Learning
We provide high‑quality, practical CPD designed specifically for schools working with Service families. Through workshops, briefings, termly updates, and the Service Children’s Network (SCN), we help schools:
- Understand the impact of military life on attendance, wellbeing, identity, and learning
- Strengthen transition processes
- Support pupils during deployment and exercises
- Build whole‑school awareness and inclusive practice
- Access resources, toolkits, and guidance created for Service communities
Our training forms part of the wider work we deliver across North Yorkshire, reaching over 230 schools between 2022–2025
Service Children’s Network (SCN)
The SCN is North Yorkshire’s professional community for anyone working with Service children. Chaired by the Service Children’s Champion, the network connects school staff, local authorities, military units, and wider partners.
Each term, schools can access:
1. Leadership Briefings
For SLT, governors, Unit Welfare Officers and Local Authority partners.
These briefings share essential national and local updates, policy developments, and upcoming events.
2. CPD & Networking
Designed for school-based advocates, pastoral leads, SENCOs, and teachers.
These sessions include:
- Expert guest speakers
- Practical strategies for use in school
- Opportunities to collaborate and problem‑solve
- An interactive SCN Surgery where schools submit questions and share solutions
All SCN members receive a monthly digital newsletter packed with resources and updates.
Service Children Advocates
Having a Service Children Advocate in your school can make a world of difference. This key role helps ensure that Armed Forces children feel seen, supported, and celebrated throughout their school journey.
Advocates are a dedicated point of contact—someone who understands the challenges military life can bring and knows how to support transitions, emotional wellbeing, and academic continuity. They help raise awareness among staff, champion Service pupil voice, and build connections between home, school, and the wider Forces community.
The Year of the Service Children’s Promise
This year marks the launch of something truly special—The Service Children’s Promise, a new charter for schools across North Yorkshire designed to ensure consistent, meaningful support for Armed Forces children.
Developed through The Big Conversation—a county-wide listening initiative that placed Service children’s voices at the heart of change—this Promise reflects what matters most to them: understanding, stability, celebration, and connection.
What’s Included
The Promise isn’t just words—it’s a commitment backed by action:
A shared charter for schools, ensuring consistency and care
Access to high-quality training for staff
A toolkit of resources for transition, wellbeing, and pupil voice
A full calendar of events to bring Service children together and celebrate identity
Whether your school supports one Service child or many, the Promise helps you build a learning environment where every child feels seen, understood, and supported—where they don’t just cope, but thrive.
Let’s make this year one of transformation, pride, and partnership.
