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Announcements, NFF News

*APPLICATIONS CLOSED – thank you for your interest*

 

Role: Director of Operations and Families Engagement
Full-time post, 36 hours per week based in Portsmouth.
Initial salary £36,000 Per Annum.

 

Here’s who we are:

The Naval Families Federation exists to speak up for Royal Navy and Royal Marines families. We champion families and advocate on their behalf to the relevant authorities. We represent their views and experiences to those who make the policies and decisions that affect them. We meet regularly with the Royal Navy’s Chain of Command, Government Ministers, Other Government Departments, and other key stakeholders. We also support appropriate and relevant research.

 

Here’s who we are looking for:

A person who thrives on problem solving and is energised by a fluid working pattern. The ideal candidate will be patient, diplomatic and be confident to calculate business priorities on the hoof. It is vital for applicants to have a thorough understanding of the nuances of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines lifestyle. The remit of the role offers an exciting range of variation including, but not limited to, delivering briefs about the work of the NFF, representing the organisation at national meetings and events, supporting a busy enquiries and family advocacy team on a wide and varied range of subjects, and everything in between. Previous people management experience is required, as is the ability to build relationships to effectively communicate on issues affecting Service families, engaging with the Chain of Command and external stakeholders.

 

First-hand understanding and experience of the modern Naval Service lifestyle is key to this position. This will be coupled with the ability to organise your own time to prioritise tasks and effectively communicate with colleagues. This is a key role within a small organisation where everyone’s contribution makes a difference, so the ideal applicant will feel comfortable working as a team member and agile enough to manage several work-strands simultaneously. If you fit the description and have a tenacious approach, we would love you to put your application forward.

 

Applicants are welcome to have an informal chat with the current post holder, telephone number: 02392 654374.

Applications close at midday on Tuesday 20th April 2021. 

First interviews for the vacancy will be held via MS Teams on Thursday 22nd April 2021.

 

To apply:
*APPLICATION CLOSED – thank you for your interest*
  • Click here to download the job specification. 
  • Click here to download the application form.
  • Send completed application forms to contactus@nff.org.uk or by post to the address below:

Naval Families Federation

CEO: Anna Wright

Building 25, HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth, PO2 8ER

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Announcements, NFF News, Communications, RN/RM Announcements

Households across England and Wales are being asked to take part in Census 2021. The census in Scotland will take place next year due to the impact of the pandemic. 

 

This year, the census will include a new question which will ask people if they have served in the Armed Forces. This data will help to support commitments made by central and local government under the Armed Forces Covenant. Anyone who has served in the Armed Forces for at least one day is classed as a veteran. Click here to watch an explainer video. The NFF welcomes this change as this will help to collate valuable information which will ensure that the Armed Forces community gets the right support in the future. 

 

Service personnel are encouraged to access the guidance issued in DIN: 2021DIN01-032 which provides key information, including instructions regarding employer address information, for those who work at particular MOD locations. For general queries or help, contact information is set out in paragraph 54 of the DIN. 

 

Useful information

We recognise that the family dynamics of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines community may be different than those of civilian households. 

  1. There is specific advice available for Armed Forces families, which can be found here.
  2. The team at Royal Navy Family & People Support (RN FPS) have shared guidance for MOD families when completing the census, which can be accessed here.
  3. The NFF put some additional questions to the Census team for a FAQ to clarify some areas that have caused confusion :
SFA - Who should fill this in?

Q: When Service families live in SFA, the serving person is named as the licence holder in accordance with MOD Policy, and they are also the named person responsible for the household bills – they would therefore be deemed to be the ‘householder’. If the SP is away from home on 21st March, due to an operational deployment or because they are working in a different part of the country, can their spouse/partner complete the Census on their behalf, in their absence?  

 

A: Yes, they can complete it, the Census arrives addressed to the household address not a specific individual. If a person is on active deployment, they will be able to note this as there is a section that says that they normally reside there but on the 21st March they are elsewhere. Click here to read the guidance on completing the census for someone else. 

Own homes - Who should fill this in?

Q: The same question applies for those Service families living in their own homes, if the serving person is considered to be the ‘householder’ but will be absent from the home on 21 March due to the needs of the Service. Can the spouse/partner complete the form? 

 

A: Yes, again, as above. The Census can be completed from receipt up until the end of April, but must record the household on the 21st March. Click here to read the guidance on completing the census for someone else. 

SLA - What if I live on base?

Q: What are the arrangements for those living in SLA? 

 

A: Advice for those living on base can be found here. If you live on a US military base, your CO will give you advice. 

SFA - Landlord

Q: We live in SFA. Who is my landlord? 

 

A: The RN FPS team have put together guidance on answering this question. Please click here to access the PDF.

Serving person away from home

Q: My SP is currently working away from home, should I include them? 

 

A: Remember to include anyone who usually lives here but is temporarily away from home. This applies to your SP, if this is their permanent or home address. You can read the full guidance on people currently away here. The advice for Armed Forces families can be found here. 

Serving person - Job title/employer

Q: Question 41-44 asks about my job. How should I answer those questions?

 

A: You are strongly encouraged to read this guidance produced by the Royal Navy – please click here to access the PDF.

Non-UK serving personnel

Q: Is there any guidance for non-UK military personnel? 

 

A: You can visit this page for more information. 

For further information or to get help, please visit census.gov.uk 

Posted on: 10th March, 2021
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Announcements, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

In December 2020 the Defence Committee launched an inquiry on Women in the Armed Forces: From Recruitment to Civilian Life.

 

The aim of the inquiry is to look at the experience of female Service personnel from recruitment to transition and consider whether there are unique challenges that are not adequately addressed by the current policies and services. Other areas of interest that the Committee are keen to cover within the scope of the inquiry include issues around pensions, terms and conditions of employment, housing, and general wellbeing.

 

As part of the inquiry, female Service personnel were invited to complete an online survey. Based on feedback and issues raised by Service personnel and their loved ones, the Naval Families Federation submitted our observations on behalf of our community. Key themes include:

  • Harmony and separation;
  • Culture and expectations;
  • Childcare;

 

You can find our paper and other written evidence here.

 

NFF CEO Anna Wright attended an oral evidence session on 4th March. Watch the recording here (11:09:19 onwards).

 

Posted on: 3rd March, 2021
Updated on: 4th March, 2021
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Announcements, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

On 8th February 2021, the Armed Forces Bill 2019-21 received Second Reading and was committed to the Armed Forces Bill Select Committee for consideration.

 

The Armed Forces Bill will enshrine the Armed Forces Covenant in law and help prevent past and currently serving personnel and their families being disadvantaged when accessing services like education and improve the Service Justice System for our personnel wherever they are operating.

 

Focusing on healthcare, housing and education, it will increase awareness among public bodies of the unique nature of military service, improving the level of service for members of the Armed Forces community, no matter where in the UK they live.

 

Quick overview

Since the launch of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2011, many businesses have committed to offering part-time or flexible working patterns to Reservists and military spouses/partners. Enshrining the Covenant in law also builds on a number of initiatives implemented over the past year to support Service leavers and veterans. These include the Defence Transition Services organisation, which was established to assist those facing the greatest difficulties successfully transition to civilian life after leaving Service.

 

The NFF are proud to be part of Forces Families Jobs, a collaborative project between the three Families Federations in conjunction with the MOD Relationship Management Team to support current serving military families and Service Leavers with employment and training opportunities.

 

The Bill will also make the complaints system more efficient by bringing the time given to personnel to lodge an appeal in line with timings offered in the private sector.

 

The Bill will also renew the Armed Forces Act 2006, following the Armed Forces Acts of 2011 and 2016.

 

Select Committee

On 3rd March 2021, the House of Commons launched the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill, chaired by James Sunderland MP. The Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill 2021 has held its first meeting to agree its programme of scrutiny on the Armed Forces Bill 2019-21. NFF CEO Anna Wright attended an oral evidence session at 2.30pm on 4th March 2021. You can watch the session on Parliament TV here.

 

Written evidence

The Committee welcomes written evidence submission on all the provisions within the Bill as well as any notable omissions and additionally on the state of Armed Forces pay. Evidence submissions will be accepted until midday on 21st March 2021. Read more about the call for evidence here.

 

Survey

The Committee has launched a survey on the Bill. They are seeking the views of Armed Forces personnel, veterans, families and anyone subject to service law. The survey will be open until 5 PM on Monday 5 April and should take roughly 5 minutes to complete.

 

Further details
  • Please click here to read the news story.
  • Click here to find out more about the Bill and its other measures.

 

Posted on: 11th February, 2021
Posted on: 24th March, 2021
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Announcements, NFF News, Childcare, Early Years and Childcare, RN/RM Announcements, Research, Survey Publications

It is with great pleasure that we, at the Naval Families Federation, are launching our 2021 Childcare report. We hope that you will agree with us, that it has been worth the wait and that it will help to shape the future of childcare for the Royal Navy.

 

We are so grateful to everyone who responded to our childcare survey last year. Our report aims to ensure that your voices, experiences and concerns that you have about childcare in the Royal Navy have been accurately represented. In addition to families’ feedback we have included lots of relevant research.

 

The focus of this report is on those aspects of childcare which place an extra burden on households as a direct result of Royal Navy Service life.

 

It is our aspiration that the short and long term recommendations made in this report will inform future MOD policy (including the wraparound childcare pilot and policy), as well as Royal Navy and wider Royal Navy charitable support.

 

To read the full report, please download the interactive PDF here.

 

Posted on: 27th January, 2021
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Announcements, NFF News, Leaving the Service

 

Launching the second Edition of Families transition too! A Transition Guide – for the families of Royal Navy and Royal Marines Service Leavers.

 

The Naval Families Federation is delighted to introduce the second Edition of Families transition too! A Transition Guide – for the families of Royal Navy and Royal Marines Service Leavers.

 

When we first produced this guide, we wanted to ensure that families of Service Leavers were supported during their Service person’s transition out of the RN/RM.  The guide was received so well by our audience that we wanted to ensure that you had all of the latest information available.

 

The new edition highlights some key new additions that we wanted families to be aware of such as the new Defence Transition Service, the newly launched Veterans Railcard, new employment support for spouses and partners and changes to policies, that for the first time, recognise the important role that families have to play in their Service person’s transition.

 

We hope that this updated version helps you and your family to prepare and plan for your transition out of the Royal Navy or Royal Marines.

 

Please click here to read the eBook or click here to download as PDF.

 

Posted on: 8th January, 2021
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Announcements, NFF News, Communications, RN/RM Announcements

The 2020 Covenant Annual Report is now available. The NFF was delighted to have the opportunity again this year to set out our Formal Observations on the report (p.13 onwards).

 

Further support delivered this year includes:Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020 - Summary on a page
  • The MOD extended the Education Support Fund to the 2020/21 financial year
  • In addition to MOD investing £123 million in-year to Service Families Accommodation, the government committed £200 million to improve MOD accommodation
  • The Forces Help to Buy scheme was extended until December 2022
  • The MOD’s Wraparound Childcare pilot programme began making payments to families at the first pilot sites, RAF High Wycombe and RAF Halton.
  • The Living in Our Shoes report was published. This is an independent review of the support provided to Service families, commissioned by MOD and led by Andrew Selous MP.
  • The Defence Holistic Transition Policy, Joint Service Publication 100, to support Service leavers and their families to adjust to all aspects of the transition to civilian life, was published.

 

We would encourage you to read through the Report to learn more about the work being undertaken to support you and your family. If you have any comments on the Report, or would like to raise a concern which you believe falls within the remit of the Armed Forces Covenant, please get in touch with us via our website.

 

Posted on: 10th December, 2020
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Announcements, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

We are very grateful to Annington Trust for so generously funding our Winter Glow project, for which there has been tremendous demand. However, we regret that this project is now closed.

It wasn’t much of a summer, but the NFF team did our best to Brighten Your Day with a little something to amuse or entertain you.

 

Now, as 2020 draws to a welcome close and we keep our fingers crossed for 2021, we’ve revamped our shopping list in order to offer you a warm, welcoming Winter Glow.

 

Winter Glow is essentially Brighten Your Day in a scarf and gloves – the Annington Trust generously agreed, once again, to support Royal Navy and Royal Marines families (Regular and Reserves) with resources to support resilience, enhance coping strategies and bring a bit of cheer in difficult times, this time tailored to colder weather and longer nights.

 

As with the Brighten Your Day project, Winter Glow aims to provide Royal Navy and Royal Marines families (Regular and Reserves) with resources to support resilience, enhance coping strategies and bring a bit of cheer in difficult times.

 

It is designed to support those families experiencing periods of separation or those impacted by covid-19.

 

Eligibility
  • This project is for currently serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines families (Regular & Reserve) who have been impacted by COVID-19.
  • You will need to provide us with your serving loved one’s Service number for eligibility purposes.
  • The provision of resources is limited to one item per Service number. The provision of resources is subject to funding and availability. Should your item be unavailable, a suitable alternative will be sourced where possible.
  • If you received resources from Brighten Your Day, you are still eligible to apply to Winter Glow.

* Do get in touch with the project team at project@nff.org.uk should you have any questions about your existing order.

 

Posted on: 7th December, 2020
Updated on: 1st March, 2021
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Finance, NFF News, RN/RM Announcements

*SURVEY CLOSED – we will keep you updated via our website and social media channels once the report has been published.*

The NFF meets annually with the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) to present feedback from Service People and their families. The AFPRB makes recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence on military pay, allowances and charges. This year’s AFPRB will meet later this month.
Please help us to speak up on your behalf by answering this short survey.  There is a free text box at the end for any further comments you may wish to make. It will close at 23:59 on 9th November, 2020.
Posted on: 2nd November, 2020
Updated on: 10th November, 2020
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