New suite of guidance expands on the Parental Absence Guide to reflect the realities of modern Service life 

The Naval Families Federation (NFF) is delighted to announce the launch of Navigating Periods of Separation, a brand-new suite of resources designed to provide practical information and guidance for naval families experiencing periods of separation due to deployments and operational commitments.  

Developed over the past year by the NFF team, the new resource builds on the 2023 Parental Absence Guide, expanding its scope to make the guidance more inclusive and more reflective of current Service life. The suite has been created for a wide range of Naval families, including spouses and partners with or without children, parents of young serving people, wider family members and those supporting children and young people during periods of separation.  

The suite of resources is available in four parts: Navigating Periods of Separation: A guide for naval families and professionals who support them, How Education Professionals Can Help and two separate leaflets written for children and young people; What about the wider family? and Hearing and valuing children’s perspectives. 

The guidance includes information on the Emotional Cycle of Deployment, how adult relationships and children of different ages may be affected at different stages, and practical tips for supporting children through their emotions in a balanced and non-prescriptive way. The NFF has also worked with Independent Education Advisor Matt Blyton to create a dedicated resource for schools and education professionals, helping them better understand Naval life, and the impact deployment and separation can have on families and children. 

Naval families often tell us that it can be difficult to know where to find information or where to start looking for support. Navigating Periods of Separation has been created as that first step; a practical, inclusive and accessible resource for families, schools and professionals supporting those affected by separation to prompt conversation.   

Sarah Clewes, CEO at the Naval Families Federation said: “Our Parental Absence Guide has long been a trusted resource for Royal Navy and Royal Marines families, combining academic insight related to the Emotional Cycle of Deployment with the lived realities of Service life. We’re delighted to have expanded it to include wider family members, as well as practical guidance for schools, helping build understanding of the unique challenges naval families face. Working alongside Matt Blyton, as an Independent Education Adviser to share his expertise in ensuring that ‘Navigating Periods of Separation’ supports meaningful conversations between families and education professionals.” 

The suite of resources are currently available on our website to view or download.