https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/If you are already based overseas or in the process of transitioning this area provides you with a variety of resources to assist you at every stage, information areas include education, medical, removals and many more. en-USTelligent Community 12https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/new-videos-launched-supporting-families-moving-overseasFri, 10 Apr 2026 12:45:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:738bc25f-aa20-4601-b663-610775bbec6eRN Forum ModeratorNaval Families Federation have launched three brand new videos supporting families moving overseas. As part of the Valuing Forces Families Overseas (VFFO) project, a suite of videos have been produced to assist serving personnel and families who are considering an Overseas Assignment. Whilst Overseas assignments can be exciting opportunities for service personnel and their families, they can also come with lots of things to take into consideration for that move overseas: Can spouses and partners work? Can you take your pets? What childcare is available? Can you still get your prescriptions? What is everyday life really like there? It isn’t always easy to know where to find information to help you make the right choices for your family, that is where the Families Federations can help. These three brand new videos give service families a starting point for researching and preparing for their overseas assignment, available on YouTube now: https://www.youtube.com/@navalfamiliesfederation5864/featuredhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/primary-school-aged-childcare-overseas-psaco-allowance-launches-january-2026Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:32:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:20756179-69fe-49fe-8002-66d1fd93f995RN Forum ModeratorThe PSACO Allowance, will be available to eligible Service families in overseas locations where the Defence Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Allowance eligibility criteria cannot be met. What is the PSACO Allowance? The PSACO Allowance is the final phase of the WAC scheme. Providing a reimbursement of before and after school childcare costs for 4–11-year-old children (4-16 years old if in receipt of certain UK disability benefits), in overseas locations where due to local rules or regulations the WAC Allowance eligibility criteria cannot be met or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available. Service personnel that meet the eligibility criteria could claim around £3,400 per child, per year, for before and after school childcare costs. The PSACO Allowance does not provide childcare spaces, it is a reimbursement of costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare. For detailed policy information including the eligibility criteria search ‘PSACO Allowance’ at DINs Search (defnet) or Group: Defence Instruction Notices - DIN's | Defence Connect . Which locations will the PSACO Allowance be available in? The PSACO Allowance will be available to eligible Service families in all overseas locations. In some locations both the WAC and PSACO Allowances will be available due to the different eligibility criteria. If Service personnel are eligible for WAC, they are not eligible for PSACO. Please note that there will be some families that don’t meet the eligibility criteria for either scheme. What can Service personnel claim the PSACO Allowance for? Service personnel that register for the PSACO Allowance will be able to claim for up to 20 hours of before and after school childcare per week, per child, for up to 39 weeks per year (52 week rolling period, term time only). Capped hourly rates apply and these can be found in the PSACO Allowance DIN. Childcare providers used must be registered, regulated and inspected by host nation authorities for Service personnel to claim the PSACO Allowance. Where spaces are available, Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and settings that provide before and after school childcare can also be used when claiming the PSACO Allowance. How can Service personnel register for and claim the PSACO Allowance? Registration and claims information will be available from January 2026. In the meantime, to prepare to register for the PSACO Allowance, please check the eligibility criteria and ensure that your children are recorded and verified on JPA, your Unit HR can assist you with this. Where to find further information The eligibility criteria, further guidance and resources are available on the Defence Childcare Information page defnet or Defence Connect . Registration and claims guidance will be available on this page from January 2026. PSACO information will be added to the Discover My Benefits website from January 2026. Have questions? Personnel and Service families can email the policy team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk Defence has launched a new Families Hub to help Service personnel and their families navigate Service life. To find out more, visit the Families Hub .https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/bfbs-tv---exclusively-for-british-forces-communities-overseasWed, 05 Nov 2025 09:35:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:8bb16333-2ee3-4b84-9c00-8d1d8f09542eRN Forum ModeratorBFBS TV is specially created for British Forces communities overseas which offers you the best of current UK TV, and more, all in one place. From the latest movie premieres to big ticket live sport from all the major providers, new headline series to your favourite soaps and dramas, plus more including channels for children, they have all the entertainment you will need. Whilst you’re away from home, they'll do their best to get you a great selection of entertainment, accessible in a way that suits you wherever you are around the world. Find out full details of what is available to you via BFBS TVhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/service-families-help-us-to-better-understand-the-needs-wants-and-wishes-of-children-young-people-families-and-individuals-overseasTue, 24 Sep 2024 07:48:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:51e5a276-b964-4614-9214-0617cdac4e29RN Forum ModeratorOn behalf of the Defence Safeguarding Partnership Board (DSPB), Defence Children Services (DCS) are undertaking a Local Needs Analysis to inform the future delivery of social work, family support and personal support for all children, young people, families and individuals whilst both assigned and accompanying on overseas postings. We want to ensure that no child, young person, family member or individual is disadvantaged by working overseas, by seeking to replicate early intervention, prevention and support available in the UK. The future services aim to be inclusive, community focused, accessible to all and provide the support you need, when you need it. To help DCS consider what the support service needs to look like, we need the help of those who we seek to support . By completing the Local Needs Analysis Feedback Form , which should take no longer than 7 minutes, you can help to shape the future of social care, family support and personal support for you, your family and any entitled individuals overseas. Please submit your forms by Friday 4 th October 2024https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/defence-update-on-the-overseas-families-survey-2023Thu, 09 May 2024 15:56:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:d4432e60-7f18-4ddc-8736-0e0f3feef63bRN Forum ModeratorAn update on the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) overseas families survey, which took place last summer. Thank you to the overseas personnel and families that took the time to complete the MOD’s overseas families survey, which ran from July to August 2023. Your feedback is helping to shape Defence policy and processes to better meet the needs of you and your family. An MOD report is due to be published this year outlining key survey findings and will be publicly available on Gov.uk. Further details will be shared in due course. To find out more about Defence’s 10-year plan to drive forward positive initiatives for Service families, read the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-2032 . If you have any questions, please contact: People-AFFS-FamiliesTeam@mod.gov.uk.https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/accompanied-ltr-e-overseas-pilot-limited-locationsMon, 22 Jan 2024 13:09:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:717eee54-7f32-4a32-93e6-8de92714fcb3RN Forum ModeratorFrom 22 January 2024 to 31 March 2025 HQ British Forces Cyprus(BFC) and The Falkland Islands will pilot increased accommodation entitlements for Service personnel in Established Long Term Relationships (LTR(E)). The pilot forms part of Defence’s outputs from the recent Defence Command Paper refresh and Haythornthwaite Review which aims to improve the offer to current and future serving personnel, as well aiding the medium to long term development plans for overseas policy. To find out more visit the SWAY link below: SWAY Linkhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/assigned-overseas-we-want-to-hear-your-views-on-service-family-lifeSun, 02 Jul 2023 13:45:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:1cb10f90-b57c-442a-8695-83b9d6313b48RN Forum ModeratorAre you assigned overseas? We want to hear from you and learn more about your family’s experience . Complete the Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) Overseas Families Survey to share your views on: Spousal / partner employment Childcare Communications Education Accommodation Safeguarding It is important that we hear about the positive experiences and any challenges that families might be facing. The survey is anonymous, will take around 30 minutes to complete and is open until 04 August 2023. The responses will be analysed by AFFS and the Defence Analysis and Research Team and used to help review current policy and develop future families policies. If you have any questions, please contact: People-AFFS-FamiliesTeam@mod.gov.uk .https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/looking-for-somewhere-to-host-a-social-or-networking-eventSun, 02 Jul 2023 10:10:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:9d321f42-8f0c-4c7e-bd0c-cc5ab8cd60afRN Forum ModeratorDid you know that Military Coworking Network spaces are available for hosting social and networking events! Whether you're looking to host a book club, meet other military partners in the area, or showcase your small business, our spaces are the perfect venue. All you need to do is sign up as a free online member - and voila! You can then get in touch to book out the Hub for your event. Plus, by signing up for our free online membership, you'll have access to all of our resources and amenities! Military Coworking Network spaces are conveniently located on bases in the UK and Cyprus, close to SFAs, making it easy for you to connect with like-minded individuals and grow your network. Get in touch with Carolyn@militarycoworking.uk for more info.https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/m/resources/3352Mon, 12 Jun 2023 08:34:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:fe712f31-0316-4114-be15-3b4018448194RN Forum ModeratorDownload the MOD Virtual School trifold leaflet herehttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/mod-virtual-schoolMon, 12 Jun 2023 08:25:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:27b42c4f-cb89-4597-8db9-c5507bf5c1deRN Forum ModeratorInformation for families whose children attend non-Defence Children Services (DCS) schools across the world (excluding families in USA, Australia and New Zealand) and including children who are educated by their parents at home (EHE) in any country. Defence Children Services (DCS) provide professional direction, support and advice to ensure that Service children and young people are provided with every opportunity to achieve the best possible outcomes and fulfil their potential. The MOD Virtual School (MODVS) is part of Defence Children Services (DCS). The MODVS holds responsibility for maintaining oversight of the safety, welfare and education of children, who live overseas in an area that does not have a DCS School or who are electively home educated. To read the information in full see the trifold leaflet PDF below or in the Overseas Resources area: MOD Virtual School .https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/based-in-cyprus-free-online-business-start-up-coursesMon, 03 Apr 2023 18:11:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:9227b265-8a84-48a0-a75c-19cd0807c443RN Forum ModeratorSupporting the Unsung Hero - Free Online Business Start-up courses for those based in Episkopi, Cyprus. Follow Supporting the Unsung Hero on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportingtheunsunghero Twitter: https://twitter.com/supunsunghero Website: https://www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/ See the poster below for detailshttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/bfsws-private-fosteringMon, 27 Feb 2023 14:11:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:671cd95c-b12a-4f89-ab1a-0ec845dffaeaRN Forum ModeratorReminder about Private Fostering arrangements when based overseas. For the past five years the BFSWS have been delivering BFSWS in Germany and other isolated detachments, successfully serving over 33,000 Service personnel and dependents. BFSWS Homepagehttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/nff---overseas-survey-reportThu, 19 Jan 2023 15:49:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:01c4f642-b247-4a32-b093-09636ec2e56fNaval Families FederationOur Overseas Policy Lead conducted a survey throughout July and August 2022. We asked Serving personnel and their families about their experience serving overseas. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey, to view the report please visit our website. Keep an eye out on our Overseas Assignments page – more to follow!overseassurveyNaval Families FederationReportNFFhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/nepali-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-service-resourceFri, 13 Jan 2023 20:13:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:63406261-314a-4b95-b28f-552b427def94RN Forum ModeratorCitizens Advice Rushmoor were successful in an Armed Forces Covenant Grant application which means the Nepali domestic and sexual abuse service can continue for the next 3 years. Support is available across the world for all members of the armed forces (in person for those who can get to Aldershot, remote support for all others) Our in-house Nepali Language Domestic Abuse Caseworker is a qualified IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser). She assists Nepali language speakers overcome language and cultural barriers to access domestic abuse support, with funding currently being provided by The Armed Forces. Full details: https://citizensadvicerushmoor.org.uk/domestic-abuse-support/https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/update-for-indefinite-leave-to-enter-ile-applicationsFri, 06 Jan 2023 16:30:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:1a0d2b35-61b6-4d60-84fb-708a7cd3df42RN Forum ModeratorThe limited/non-availability of the Life in the UK (Lit UK) Test overseas for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) applications has been causing an issue for some families. However, it is confirmed by the Home Office that Families of Armed Forces Personnel can take the Lit UK test whilst they are in the UK and use this for future ILE applications. T his is because: Anyone can take the Lit UK test – including UK citizens; and the test booking and taking of the test is not tied per se to an immigration application. You do not need to take the Lit UK test if you have passed it before, since a Pass in the Test remains valid. Hopefully this will resolve the issue for some Families and enable you to make their ILE applications if they reach the end of their five year Limited Leave period whilst on an accompanied overseas assignment. Lit Test Information ILE Application Informationhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/m/resources/3203Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:34:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:0b01c533-bf51-4880-8521-890d64b66c55RN Forum Moderatorhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/m/resources/3202Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:33:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:ab1aed50-57ce-4bc4-b8a3-c05e7664e268RN Forum Moderatorhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/m/resources/3201Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:32:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:6083c101-3577-4089-9fa7-f0dab3ad4459RN Forum Moderatorhttps://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/updated-guidance-from-the-home-office-about-the-eu-settlement-scheme-euss-for-eu-nationals-married-to-service-personnelFri, 06 Jan 2023 15:27:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:2f25d2d5-dbb7-480d-8685-a4fa98b08821RN Forum ModeratorPlease see New Guidance documents now available to view in the Resource Section of Overseas. Any queries from these must be directed to the appropriate contact in those documents.https://forum.royalnavy.mod.uk/topics/overseas/b/announcements/posts/british-forces-social-work-service-overseas---emergency-contact-local-initiativeTue, 27 Sep 2022 10:03:00 GMTb28a645c-0ea2-4600-866f-e043a0fddeae:28eb6ce9-4b40-4b04-969d-13973422307dFormer MemberThe emergency contact local initiative is an important means of ensuring you and your family have access to timely support. In overseas postings, it is likely that you will have reduced access to familiar support networks that you have in the UK from family members, neighbours and close friends. The purpose of an emergency contact is to enable you to nominate an individual who will be able to provide support to you and your family at short notice or in times of an emergency. This will provide you and your children with the reassurance that they will be looked after (in the short term) by someone you and they know and trust. It is much better to have an identified person or people you already trust in place rather than trying to make these arrangements at a time of heightened stress for all involved. Examples of when this could be used, include a sudden bout of illness whilst your serving partner is on exercise, which requires you to go into hospital and need someone to look after your child/ren. It is recommended that as parent(s) you identify an emergency contact person as soon as possible, you should check that the identified person is happy to take on this role under emergency circumstances. It is the parent(s) responsibility to satisfy themselves that the individual they identify is not only known by their child/ren but that they are confident that the individual will be able to meet the care needs of their children. If this should change, then it is the responsibility of the parent(s) to update their emergency contact details with their UWO/Welfare Team. This is not a private fostering arrangement, the emergency contact is for short term emergency situations. Details on private fostering arrangements are available from BFSWS. The emergency contact must give permission to have their name held on the emergency contact list maintained by the UWO in location. If an emergency contact moves away or changes their mind; they should inform the parent(s) at the earliest opportunity to ensure details are updated with the UWO / Welfare team. Please find attached the Emergency Contact Local Initiative Forum.overseasEmergency contactBFSWSSupport overseas