PROVIDING A SOCIAL WORK SERVICE TO BRITISH MILITARY

FAMILIES OVERSEAS - CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Glenis Vann, Learning and Development Manager

Tes Shepherd, Social Work Team ManagerBFSWS

Context

Army drawdown from 120,000 to 80,000 personnel, worldwide

British troops in BFG since 1945 90,000 in BFG at its height Now 15,500 +18,000 dependents All to leave by 2018 Most to leave by 2016 Locating to Leuchars, Edinburgh, Catterick, East

Midlands

British Forces Social Work Service(BFSWS)

Provided under contract from the MoD HCPC registered, UK qualified Social Workers Legal authority through the Children Act 1989

and 2004, enshrined in Armed Forces Act 2011 JSP 834, SOBAG 3351, local jurisdictions 1 HoS, 3 TMs , 14 SSWPs Located in 3 garrisons in mid-North Germany

393KM

Who are our clients?

Members of UK Armed Forces and their families serving in Germany and isolated detachments eg. SHAPE and AFNORTH

Non-EEA Soldiers and their families

Single Armed Forces personnel

Entitled persons

Contemporary Issues

Domestic Abuse

Alcohol issues

Mental Health

Deployment

Drawdown

Challenges for Children and Families

Social isolation Language Limited support network - no extended family Lack of opportunities for career development Driving Imminent transition back to UK

Resilience / Vulnerability ?

2 parent families Housing Income Good resources Smaller class sizes Close knit community Protective environment

Impact of drawdown

Questionnaire

Links to Safeguarding Board policies and planning

Messages from themes

95 young people taking part

What are our young people worried about?

 Hohne areas

Male Female

5-10 Years• “I don’t like strangers”

• “noise of exercise, strangers”

• “baby noise”

• “strangers, a lot of noise”

• “strangers”

• “someone punching me”

• “moving to Paderborn and going to

middle school”

• “The river”

• “in case of bad people”

• “strangers near training area with guns”

• “strangers, noise”

 

11-17 Years• “I worry about school”

• “starting school and new people”

• “college courses I would be

interested in”

• “not being prepared enough for college

and not knowing anyone there”

• “violence”

• “moving to a new house and new school”

What are our young people worried about?

 Gutersloh Male Female

5-10 Years• “leaving friends”

• “I don’t know when moving”

• “I have no idea when I’m moving

and Mac, Tyler and Lillie are

moving before me”

• “Where I’m going to move to

next”

• “worried about going to

boarding school”

• “a little bit worried because I don’t know

where I’m moving”

• “I’m moving in 4 years”

• “I’m moving to Canada this year and Ryan,

Mac, Lillie and Alex will miss me”

11-17 Years  • “kidnappers”

• “I don’t know where I will be going”

Supporting Transition

Themes

What does this mean for the Safeguarding board ?

How are we supporting transitions?

And Finally The Poem of the Military Child

Dandelion you’re like meSet adrift to ride the breezeDrifting here and settling thereTo grow as if you have no careOnly those like you will knowThe sudden rush to rise and goOn any current you will flowOn any weathered wind you’ll blowIn any sea, on any tideOn any ground, you will abideAnd you never do decideJust where you’ll go, or how you’ll rideAround the world, among all kindsFlying with no tie that bindsAlways leaving friends behindTrying not to show you mindDandelion I’m like you!Of my future, I’ve no clue!I put down roots that have no glueSo I’ll move to somewhere new.

Any Questions ?