The experiences of Service families will be quite different from those in civilian life and at times these may have very significant impacts upon them. Their specific needs, and those of their children, are frequently overlooked because of a lack of understanding of the pressures placed upon them and the context in which they live. It is important that educational and welfare professionals understand the unique challenges that the Service children of today face, and the effects that those experiences can have on them, if they are to support them effectively.
As a Service spouse and parent Joy O'Neill is very aware of the issues that families like hers encounter as a result of being constantly on the move. A Service child's education is often disrupted as a result and unless effective measures are put in place to mitigate those impacts, and those arising from other significant events such as the operational deployment of a parent, the child may struggle to reach their full educational potential.
As an Early Years teacher, academic researcher, founder of the Service Children Support Network (SCSN) and Chair of Governors at a school where the pupil roll consists of 75% Service children, Joy has a wide perspective on the issues. She understands the challenges that schools, local authority staff and other professionals have to tackle as they try to support the needs of Service pupils.
