SEND Review: Right support, right place, right time - Closes 1st Jul 2022

 

The government has published a green paper on the future of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) system and is undertaking a public consultation on the green paper’s proposals.

​To take part, click here​.

Transport Secretary declares zero tolerance for phone use behind the wheel

 

​I​t is now illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving under virtually any circumstance including:

- Taking photos or videos

- Scrolling through stored apps or playlists

- Play stored mobile games

For more information, click here​.

FDIS change to new SFA contracts: how you may be affected between now and 10th April

The changeover to new SFA contracts on 1 April will temporarily impact some housing services while new teams are set up. This includes routine maintenance and repairs, move in and move out procedures, complaints and furniture requests.  Emergency and urgent repairs will not be affected. Normal services will resume from 10th April. For more info: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Company Shop Group

 

Click HERE to find out more about free membership.

BFPO Stamp Price from 4 April 2022

 

For more information click HERE​

FDIS Accommodation Service

 

New arrangements to support SFA - Pinnacle website and social media now live

The National Accommodation Management Services (NAMS) contract will provide a single National Service Centre that families will use to access housing services, plus local Housing Officers who will supervise Move Ins and Move Outs and the management of individual patches. This national contract has been awarded to Pinnacle, who are specialists in providing housing services to customers ranging from social housing to luxury flats. This is the first time the MOD has employed a housing specialist to deliver services to SFA.

Ahead of the contract start date on 1st April, the website went live on Friday 4 March: www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

Social media links are also now live:

Twitter @PinnacleSF

LinkedIn /Pinnacle-Service-Families

Facebook /PinnacleServiceFamilies

Re-importing goods to the UK (post EU Exit)

Below is a useful link shared by HMRC that should aid those personnel experiencing issues with transporting goods back to the UK. For further guidance and support all pers should be directed to the HMRC helpline (all details available at website).

Pay less import duty and VAT when re-importing goods to the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Joining Forces Credit Union

 

Armed Forces Communication Focus Groups

We need your help – research opportunity for non-serving partners!

We are running two focus groups (one on Tuesday 15th and one on Tuesday 22nd March) to understand communication between Defence and non-serving partners of those in the military. This research is important and will help to shape how Defence communicate with families and to deliver their family strategy in the best way possible.

We would like to hear from any of our non-serving partners to understand the best channels of communication in which to engage with this audience.

The focus groups will last an hour each and will take place 6:30pm – 7:30pm (UK time) on Tuesday 15th March or Tuesday 22nd March via Zoom.

Here is the link to the recruitment survey https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90430931/Armed-Forces-communication-focus-groups

NHS Armed Forces Update

Please click HERE to read the latest NHS Armed Forces update 

Dept for Work and Pensions: List of Temporary Job Centres continues to grow

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/temporary-jobcentres-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic

The DWP continues to set up temporary jobcentres to deal with increased demand.

The new jobcentres will provide services across the country where they are needed. They will increase capacity to provide tailored face-to-face support and help support more people back into work and progress into new roles.​

Visa fees scrapped for Non-UK Service Personnel

In recognition of the immensely valuable contribution that thousands of overseas personnel make to the UK while serving, the Government has announced that visa fees will be waived for those who have served in the UK Armed Forces for a minimum period of six years or been discharged due to an illness or injury attributable to their service.

For further information please see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/visa-fees-scrapped-for-non-uk-service-personnel​

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace with non-UK service personnel

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