Welcome to Scotland - New Guide Launched Online

The Scottish Government have launched a new 2021 updated version of Welcome To Scotland.

The Scottish Government is firmly committed to supporting our Armed Forces Community. We have a long military tradition here in Scotland and hold our Armed Forces and their families in high esteem. We are highly supportive of the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant and the commitment of organisations across Scotland to build enhanced support for the Armed Forces community and foster better integration between the community and the Armed Forces. This booklet has been designed to help you with what you need to know about your move.

We are a close-knit society and are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces and their family members are fully supported when accessing our services. We have a proud track record of working in close partnership with local authorities, the wider public sector and charities to help us ensure you are able to access the best possible care and support. Ultimately, we hope that you will consider Scotland as your long-term home.

For more information or to download the guide CLICK HERE

Non UK Nationals Guide

To view in full click here

DCYP Podcast - Global Education Matters

Global Education Matters – A new Podcast series to explore the education options available to UK military families in key worldwide locations

Andrew Malcolm and Ed Harris are Senior Education Officers within the Global Education Team in the MOD. As part of their role, Andrew and Ed complete reviews of education systems and schools in key global locations. The team wanted to create a way for the information and knowledge generated through these reviews to be easily available and accessible to armed forces families, including family members without access to MOD IT systems.

The team has therefore begun to publish a series of Podcasts to provide information about local education systems, schools and the range of opportunities and experiences families can explore in local worldwide areas.

The series is beginning with a broad look at education systems in the USA, which is one of the MOD’s largest footprints of UK armed forces families. Following this, we will be exploring some of the key specific locations our families are assigned to in the US, beginning with Washington DC and the surrounding area; subsequently moving onto other key areas of the US and then wider global locations.

Parents can access the Podcast series at An-introduction-to-education-in-the-US-escfpp. It is also available on the main Podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching Global Education Matters.

A Is For Arrivals

 

Changes to Border Restrictions for Fijian Passport Holders Returning to Fiji

Changes to border restrictions for Fijian passport holders returning to Fiji due to take effect from 29 March 21

Fijian government no longer willing to cover the cost of non-essential repatriation. (See Fijian Government’s Facebook page).

The new charges apply to all Fijian passport holders, including Fijians who have been residing overseas and are dual passport holders or permanent residents of another country. The charges will include the cost of accommodation and meals, which will be directly payable to the quarantine facilities. These charges will depend on the quarantine facility and will average around $2,200 for the entire 14-day quarantine. COVID-19 swab tests (minimum 2), transfers from airport to quarantine facility, monitoring and site surveillance, will continue to be paid to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for all repatriating Fijians.

Exemptions from these charges will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and approved by the Quarantine Authority of Fiji, which is the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services. Exemption criteria is as follows:

● Fijian citizens who have travelled outside of before 28 March 2020 and are now returning home;

● Students and their approved dependents on Government-sponsored or Government endorsed scholarships returning after completion of studies;

● Patient and approved companion referred/supported by the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services to seek medical assistance/intervention overseas;

● Fijian citizens employed under a Government-to-Government arrangement that the Fijian Government is a party to, such as workers returning under labour schemes; and

● Returning servicemen, Fijian Government officials, Fijian Diplomats (including spouse and children under the age of 18 years) who have travelled for official purposes.

Official guidance has not been updated yet. Check the following websites before booking a flight:

Foreign Travel Advice Fiji: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/fiji/entry-requirements

Latest Covid Update Fijian Immigration: http://www.immigration.gov.fj/

All Call signs: What To Do When A Veteran Or Service Person Goes Missing

Myth: There’s nothing you can do until they’ve been missing 48 hours.

Fact: There’s plenty that you, the police and other services can do. Acting quickly saves lives.

Find out more HERE

EU Settlement Scheme - EUSS

 

EU Settlement Scheme

All Army Personnel are reminded that any dependents who are EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizens must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) if they wish to continue living in the UK. Please refer to the Government guidance if you are unsure whether a family member needs to apply.

EU, EEA, Swiss citizens currently on a posting within the EU with a British Citizen SP

If the family member has resided in the UK prior to 31 December 2020, then they should be eligible to make an application to the EUSS from outside of the UK. Their time overseas will count as residency in the UK for the purposes of the application. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Please note that to apply from outside of the UK, family members will require a biometric passport.

If the family member has never previously resided in the UK, then they will not be able to apply directly to the EUSS from outside of the UK. They will, instead, be required to apply for a EUSS Family Permit to enter the UK, and then submit an EUSS application (which in this case cannot be made online. Family members will need to contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre and request a paper application form). They must return to the UK with the SP by 29 March 2022 in order to qualify under the EUSS.

EU, EEA, Swiss citizens currently on a posting outside the EU with a British Citizen SP

If the family member has resided in the UK prior to 31 December 2020, then they should be eligible to make an application to the EUSS from outside of the UK. Their time overseas will count as residency in the UK for the purposes of the application. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Please note that to apply from outside of the UK, family members will require a biometric passport.

If the family member has never previously resided in the UK, they will be required to make an application to enter the UK under UK Immigration Rules Appendix Armed Forces.

Supporting Documentation

All applicants to the EUSS must provide evidence of being resident in the UK prior to 31 December 2020. Please refer to Government guidance for details of required supporting documentation.

In order to ensure time spent overseas on a posting is considered for UK residency purposes, family members will need to provide a letter from their SP’s unit on official stationery, signed by the Commanding Officer, confirming:

* The start date of the SP’s overseas posting.

* The end date of the SP’s overseas posting (if applicable).

* The period during which the family member accompanied the SP overseas.

Holidays For Serving & Ex Armed Forces and their Families - Poppy Pod Holiday Village Reopening 17th May 2021

The Pods will be open from 17th May 2021, and the
booking system will go live after 1st April

To find out more, CLICK HERE

Registration and booking can be found HERE

Credit Union Welcomes MoD Civilians - Flexible Savings & Borrowing

The MOD and the Civilian HR team have now agreed that civilians who support the armed forces, can now formally join our credit union. This means that more members of our military family can access flexible savings and affordable borrowing!

https://www.firstdefencefinance.co.uk/about-us/

5 Websites To Support Your Mental Health

Click links below

Cruse

National DA Helpline

Mind

Rethink

One Plus One

NI Credits for overseas postings since 1975

National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas after 6 April 1975

How spouses and civil partners of armed forces personnel posted overseas can fill gaps in their National Insurance record.

You may be able to get National Insurance credits if you’re married to or the civil partner of a member of the armed forces and you go with them on an overseas posting.

Credits can help to fill gaps in your National Insurance record, for example if you were not in work when you were with your partner on an overseas posting. Credits can make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

Apply online : Click here

The PANDAS Foundation

Home page - PANDAS Foundation UK

Women's Health - Let's Talk About It

The government has launched a call for evidence to improve health and wellbeing of women in England.

Women are being encouraged to share their experiences of the health and care system via a call for evidence aimed at improving healthcare for women.

Click HERE for more information

Crocodile Safety

Information taken from Panaga Club website

New UK Declaration Form Required For International Travel From Mon 8th March 2021

Complete a travel declaration form to confirm that you are legally allowed to travel abroad from England.

Please click HERE for more information

The Locker Podcast Episode 5 - Self Belief

Not everyone finds self-belief easy to obtain; it's an uphill struggle and means constantly pushing limits, testing boundaries, learning through the good experiences as well as the bad. However, when it comes to success, sometimes the only difference in whether you succeed or not is a result of one simple thing - believing in yourself.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast