Babies, children and young people in armed forces families live extraordinary lives. These experiences shape their identity. The experiences they share with us highlight their sense of adventure, their courage, adaptability and the energy they bring to their schools, friendships and wider communities. Yet adults and systems must be careful not to mistake these strengths as meaning armed forces children do not need support and advocacy.
While celebrating the strengths of these remarkable babies, children and young people, we need to work together to ensure that the systems around them are stronger and meet their needs. Children thrive when the adults and systems around them listen, care and act on what they are told.
The Forces Children’s Rights Charter, co-produced with armed forces children and young people, aims to keep the focus on the rights of babies, children and young people from forces families and drive forward positive change.
It is more than a document – it is a testament to the vision and values of children and young people who refuse to be left out of the conversation.
My parents include me when they are making big decisions that affect me.
My parents and other adults know about my rights and how forces life affects them.
The MOD has a process to identify how their decisions affect children.
I understand what decisions have been made, why and how I was considered.
The MOD show how their decisions and policies impact me and my rights.
We have the opportunity to tell people about our lives and our rights.
It is easy to get help if my rights are affected. I know who to complain to.
Everyone understands all the ways forces life can affect me. They understand that it is different for me depending on which branch of the services my parent serves in, their role or they are a veteran.
I have every opportunity to celebrate and express my forces identity.
It is important that my strengths and challenges are recognised. As a forces child, I am good at adapting, solving problems and finding resources. This should be supported.
I have the right to spend time with other forces children.
I am not disadvantaged because my parent is serving, a reservist or a veteran.
My education needs to be about more than my academic achievements. If I move or my parents become veterans, my education should be disrupted as little as possible. I get a well-planned move, so I don’t miss anything that is important to me. The timing should be best for me. This is easy to negotiate. I know as much as I can about my new school before I move.
My information comes with me to my new school. It is straight away, and I am part of collecting it.
I get extra help if I need it, to be my best or catch up. I should not have to explain what I need every time I move. Support should be easy to access.
Schools should be assessed on how well they meet forces children’s needs, regardless of where I am and how many forces children there are in my school.
I am supported to stay in touch with my friends and family and to make new friends.
Rest and relaxation are important when my serving parent is away, and I am supported to get them.
My home has enough space for me to play and have friends visit.
I have easy access to my hobbies and interests when I move. If there are waiting lists, I am not disadvantaged because of my parent’s service.
I have information about activities and clubs where I live. This is created by children for children, so it is easy to understand.
If I am a young carer, I am supported to get a break.
I can easily access support for my emotional and mental wellbeing, when and where I want it, especially during moves and deployments.
The adults who help me, understand about forces life and the way it can impact on my wellbeing. They don’t make assumptions about forces life and its impact.
My health care and records move with me. It is easy and quick to get a new GP, dentist or other treatment. I am not disadvantaged because of my parent’s service.
My family and I get the right support at the right time.
When my parent is away, I am supported to keep in touch as much as possible, in the best way possible. I can choose what works best for me. “I miss handwritten blueys!”
I have help to maintain my relationship when direct contact is not possible.
I get support when my parent is going, returning or if they are delayed. My parents are supported to meet my needs and minimise the impact of separation.
My serving parent is supported to return as often as they can, and they are away for as short as possible to lessen the separation.
Recognise if I am a young carer and give me the support I need.
Support is not connected to the base or posting. It is easy to access by everyone, including those who live off base or have become veterans. It recognises the impact of service, even after service ends.
If both my parents are serving, everything should be done to make my family life as stable as possible. The MOD need to consider what it means for both my parents and me.
My family’s privacy is protected as much as possible.
My parents have access to the childcare, so their career isn’t affected. Childcare also meets my needs.
I have the right to be part of the decisions that affect me, in an age-appropriate way.
I have a say in how my family, and I are supported.
I can ask questions; I get the answers I need or understand why I can’t.
Together we have the opportunity to talk about our experiences of forces life and what would help everyone collectively.
Adults create spaces and opportunities for forces children to speak freely and safely to state our opinions on the things that affect us.
My house is a place where I can thrive. It feels like a home, decorated the way I like. There is enough space for everyone, including space to play.
My house is ready to live in when we arrive and then checked regularly, not just when we move out. Repairs are done quickly and thoroughly.
Houses are accessible for everyone. They are energy efficient, modern and mould free.
I need information in a way that makes sense to me, so I can be involved in the decisions that affect me.
I can ask the MOD for information directly and this is easy to do. It works for all ages, languages and communication styles. I know who to ask and feel confident about asking.
I get as much notice as possible about changes to my parent’s service that affect me.
If I can’t know the information, tell me that and explain why.
My right to information is carefully balanced with my right to be protected from harmful information. The information I am given about my parent’s service is appropriate to my age and stage.