In this section you will find everything you need to know about Education and childcare for Service children; from early years and schools, including boarding schools, to Further and Higher Education, and even Adult Education.
New assignments often result in moving to a new location which can be challenging. As a parent, finding suitable childcare and/or school places can be difficult, particularly if your children have special educational needs. For your children, settling into a new setting, making new friends and continuity of their education can be problematic. Here we share information to help:
Education and childcare help topics
Who’s who in Service children’s education
From April 2021 the Directorate of Children and Young People (DCYP), within Ministry of Defence, was replaced by Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) a policy organisation and Defence Children Services (DCS) a delivery arm.
Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding responsibilities
The AFFS team leads on the development of all Defence-level education and children and young people policy. They are responsible for engaging with Devolved Administrations, the Department for Education and local authorities. They also take the lead on Safeguarding issues and manage the childcare support policy, including handling the work on free wraparound childcare for Service personnel.
Defence Children Services responsibilities
Defence Children Services (DCS) has responsibility for the functions, in support of service families related to education and care, previously undertaken by DCYP. DCS’ function is to support Service children and their Service families with educational needs.
DCS provides a single focus for all issues related to Service children and young people, providing high-quality education at 22 schools and settings in locations around the world. DCS also directly supports Service families, providing advice on a wide range of educational matters both overseas and in the UK, delivered by specialist education and advisory teams.
Education news
Support for RAF Families Getting Ready for the New School Year
Support for RAF Families Getting Ready for the New School Year Written by Ali Stokes, Policy Advisor – Education and Childcare As the new academic year approaches, many RAF families More information
Preparing for Exam Results Day: Support for RAF Families
Results Day Are you preparing for exam results day? Here you can find support for RAF families across the UK and overseas. Results season can be an important milestone as More information
News on Defence childcare schemes for September 2026
For information and updates about new and existing Defence childcare schemes please read these announcements. New early years childcare scheme, UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) to launch from September 2026 UKNA More information
