Defence Children Services: New information on school admissions and education support to Service families

                                

Defence Children Services and Education Advisory Team (UK) have released some new information for Service families. This includes guidance about key dates related to school admissions which are coming up; the first of these is October 31st for families who have a child due to start secondary school in September 2025. There are also leaflets explaining the support available from EAT (UK) and the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST):​

Letter for families

Top Tips Information sheet with some FAQ

EAT(UK) leaflet

OEST leaflet

​DCS also has a new website with comprehensive information for Service families: www.dcs.school

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Civil Service Job Vacancy for Service Leavers, Veterans and Spouses/Partners

                                     

The following vacancies are now open for applications under the GFiE Scheme:

GFIE- 339 Associate Supplier Manager
Blackpool, Newcastle or Manchester
Job Description
Closing date: 11 Nov

​​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

Army Health Promotion: New Leaflet - An Individual's Guide to Mental Fitness

                             

Please click the image to enlarge.

Please click here for full guide.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: Various Locations

                                       

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have the Executive Officer opportunities shown below coming up with roles across England:

Universal Credit Job centre Work Coach (Executive Officer) - Leicestershire and Northamptonshire (Ref: 714) open from 8/10/24 to 22/10/24. 30 jobs available.

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - Staffordshire and Derbyshire (Ref: 717) open from 9/10/24 to 23/10/24. 30 jobs available.

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - West Yorkshire (Ref: 716) open from 10/10/24 to 24/10/24. 30 jobs available.

More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite

Naples Newsletter for Oct 2

 Click here for Naples Newsletter Oct 2

Launch of New British Forces Cyprus Community Website

                                      

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

World Mental Health Day - 10th October: Defence Relaunch of HeadFIT for 2024

                                  

HeadFIT is an externally accessible website, developed by Defence to assist our people in developing a proactive approach to mental fitness. It provides techniques and methods to manage your mental resilience, enhance your mood, and improve your confidence. For further information please go to: HeadFIT - Success, it's all in your head

Headspace App: Free Enrolment for Army Personnel and MOD Civilian Staff

                                  

For more information see the poster here Please use your mod.gov.uk email address to sign up before downloading the App. Link to enroll: Headspace for Work

                                                               

Whether you are starting out in your career, or you already have an administrative background and are looking for a change, MOD Administrative Officer roles are an opportunity to join the Civil Service and deliver outputs for the benefit of the Army and Defence.

The MOD is recruiting for a variety of exciting Administrative Officer roles throughout all areas of the Army in locations across the UK. You will have the opportunity to work directly with military colleagues to enable key outputs and can take advantage of training and development opportunities available to enhance your skills and career pathway in the Civil Service.

A total of 34 job vacancies are open for applications until 17 Oct.

To find out more, and to apply, please go to the Civil Service Jobs website (job reference 364057): Army - Administrative Officers - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK​​

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support

                                  

Please click the image to enlarge.

For more information on any of the resources within this poster, please contact your nearest HIVE or use the 'contact Army HIVE' facility on the right-hand side menu of this Blog.

Ripple Pond - October Newsletter

  

Please click here to access the Ripple Pond Autumn 2024 Newsletter.

Duke of York's Royal Military School - Cyprus Visits 10-15 Oct

                                          

Click on this link to see further info: https://www.doyrms.com/​ and poster here

Samaritans Walk 50 miles with your dog in November

                               

Take on the challenge to walk 50 miles with your dog this November, whilst raising vital funds and awareness for Samaritans!
We know that life can sometimes be incredibly tough. Thanks to the dedication of more than 20,000 volunteers, Samaritans can be there for anyone, whatever they are going through and whenever they are struggling to cope.

Visit the website to sign up - https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/events-and-fundraising/walk/walk-50-miles-with-your-dog-in-november/

To find out more about Samaritans support to the Armed Forces community, please go to In the military and Armed Forces Community | How we can help (samaritans.org)

The Poppy Factory: Supporting veterans and families towards employment

  

For more information please see:

TPF - Families Service Flyer

TPF Employment Support Leaflet

​Register for Support - Veterans Employment Services

Register for Support - Families Employment Support

Research Participants Request: Study into the effects of Impostor Phenomenon in Military Veterans

                                         

Imposter Phenomenon, commonly known as Imposter Syndrome, is a widely reported but hugely misunderstood mental health condition that affects the majority of the population and is suspected to affect Veterans in transition to civilian life, perhaps more than other groups; stopping veterans from integrating back into society and limiting their success in their new employment.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, we are studying Impostor Phenomenon and UK Veterans, and what might be done to limit its effects.

The autumn edition of Army&You magazine is out now!

                           

To read this issue online, please go to Army&You Autumn 2024 Issue.

There is an article on page 56 covering HIVE's 40th Anniversary.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: Disability Services and Retirement Services - Nationwide Locations

  

DWP have Executive Officer roles available in both Disability Services (Nationwide) and Retirement Services (Cumbria and Lancashire). Both will be open until 15/10.

Civil Service job links:
DWP Executive Officer - Disability Services - National (Ref: 711) 160 vacancies


DWP Executive Officer - Retirement Services - Cumbria and Lancashire (Ref: 712) 50 vacancies

​More information on DWP, the various roles currently being advertised, and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.

The military children’s charity, Little Troopers, is celebrating ten years of its ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ award scheme.

 

Established in 2014 to recognise children of our British Armed Forces the charity has awarded medals to 120 children who have been especially brave and resilient in the face of adversity.

The Little Troopers winners are all children who have parents serving in the forces and understand first-hand how challenging life can be growing up with a serving parent. Many of the youngsters have experienced long periods of separation from their serving parent due to deployments and military exercises, as well as frequent house and school moves, on top of other challenging life circumstances at home.

Thu 10 Oct - World Mental Health Day and Togetherall.

 

Whatever you're going through, you're not alone. Let's support each other this #WorldMentalHealthDay.

The UK Armed Forces have FREE access to @togetherall and you can join at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/uk-armed-forces

Forces Employment Charity's next LinkedIn Essentials online workshop on 14 November.

 

The Forces Employment Charity has an online workshop 'LinkedIn Essentials', which is free for the whole military community (including Families) to join.

​Registrations are now live. Past feedback received says, “The most useful LinkedIn session I have attended to date. No sales speak or jargon, just practical advice and thoughts with supporting reasoning. Really helpful and much appreciated thank you."

Register here: https://loom.ly/kazxuKc

It's also advertised on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AFCAS 2025 is open – make your voice count!

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) is open!

The annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) gives Service personnel the chance to share your views on working conditions, living conditions, and day-to-day Service and family life. Take part in AFCAS and tell us how to better understand your needs in the areas below:
Service life
Accommodation
Catering and retail
Deployments
Allowances and pensions
Service complaints/Service Complaints Ombudsman
Armed Forces Covenant
Factors influencing intentions to stay/leave the Armed Forces
Defence Estate, e.g., training facilities, opportunities for sport and much moreWho can complete AFCAS, and how?

If you are a Service person who has been invited to take part in this year’s survey, you will receive an email with information on how to complete the survey. Your Service number – which is case sensitive – is the token you need to enter. Please be assured that your responses will be confidential.

Every response counts…

The more people we hear from, the better able we are to improve your Service and family life. Your voice matters. To view previous AFCAS results, visit GOV.UK.