By hearing about the issues and challenges you face, we can learn from them. By asking you questions either directly, or through surveys, we can capture evidence. Sharing your views and opinions allows us to work with policy and decision makers, to inform important changes that benefit you, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines families of today and those of tomorrow. Explore how your voice has helped us to influence these policies and make an impact on the support available, for the better.
How will the Armed Forces Bill impact families?
The 2026 Armed Forces Bill currently going through Parliament includes a range of measures on policy areas including the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant and the creation of a new Defence Housing Services organisation. As this will have a direct impact on Service families, we attended the Parliamentary Select Committee to represent naval families.
Your voice heard
To ensure that the views of RN and RM families were heard as part of this review, the NFF submitted joint written evidence to the Committee with Army and RAF Families Federations. Our Head of Policy appeared before the Committee to provide evidence on the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant and our Housing Policy Specialist presented evidence to the Committee on the new Defence Housing Service.
The Select Committee published their report on 29th April 2026, which includes numerous references to the evidence we shared including our concerns about some aspects of the proposed changes. Please continue to share your views, so that we can inform legislation that will impact serving personnel and their families. Work on the Armed Forces Bill continues.
Frustrations with the NHS App
It was identified that serving parents are being disadvantaged as more NHS services move online. Personnel, who are not permitted to hold an NHS App account, are unable to access their children’s digital medical records or book GP appointments for them. This issue is particularly affecting dual couples and single serving parents.
Your voice heard
We conducted a short, targeted survey in early 2026 and using the feedback, produced a report to provide a snapshot of the impact this issue is having. With perspective and your lived experience, we continue to address this area of disadvantage with decision makers in both the NHS and MOD.
This evidence also supported our response to the Defence Committee’s annual review of ‘Women In the Armed Forces’ as we believe that this is an issue that particularly affects serving females.
Digital changes are positive news for Armed Forces personnel
An issue was identified for serving personnel with Armed Forces Exemption from Immigration Control vignettes in their passports. These personnel were unable to gain access to share codes and therefore faced difficulties proving their residential status to a range of external agencies, including right to work, right to rent, application for driving licences and access to financial services.
Your voice heard
We shared the impact of this issue with our contacts in the UK Visa and Immigration team and also highlighted it in our Formal Observations on the 2025 Covenant Annual Report. The NFF was delighted to learn that the policy has now been updated and those serving personnel affected can now access a new Digital Record of Exemption (DroE).
More information on the new Digital Record and how to apply can be found on our website here.
Accessing NHS Dental Services – new terminology and a Single Point of Contact
Limited access to NHS dental care affects families across the country, but mobile Service families face additional barriers, often having to restart their places on waiting lists and struggling to secure consistent NHS treatment.
Your voice heard
For many years, we have represented families’ concerns on this issue to the NHS and the Ministry of Defence; highlighting the challenges families face and the need for clearer, more consistent support.
As part of ongoing efforts to address these issues, the NFF has worked in partnership with representatives from NHS England and the MoD. Together, we have developed a practical guide that responds to many of the frequently asked questions raised by Service families.
This guide reflects your experiences and provides clearer information to help families navigate the system. Sharing your experiences with the NFF helps us to address issues and provide clear and relevant guidance.
Forces Children Scotland Deployment Rollercoaster
During 2024, Forces Children Scotland (FCS) worked with children and young people to create a child-friendly emotional cycle of deployment resource.
The visual of the rollercoaster was developed by the children and young people themselves to help explain the different stages of the cycle.
Championing Naval families in all their diversity
During the development, the NFF’s The Emotional Cycle of Deployment in our Parental Absence Guide helped to inform discussion with the children and young people around different stages of deployment, including anticipation of loss, withdrawal and renegotiation.
We are delighted that children and young people from all families, wherever they live, now have access to this interactive, child-friendly emotional cycle of deployment.
The rollercoaster is supported by accessible resources for children, young people and parents to help support their child’s mental health and wellbeing at each stage of the ride: The Deployment Rollercoaster.
