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Article for ‘The Guardian’ - Can you help –

There is to be an article in the family section of ‘The Guardian’ on what it is like to be brought up in a forces family. The article talks to family members from all three services but still needs to understand the experiences of children growing up in a naval family.

They are particularly interested in speaking to boys, aged between 10-12 years, as they do not yet have enough information from this category.
The sorts of questions that will be asked are: In what ways do you keep in contact with the serving person while they are away? Are you close to other forces families? Do you go to a regular school or a forces school and what is it like?

The conversational interview will be done over the phone with parental consent. If you would like to take part please contact Jo Mears on: 013 0650 1830.

Hello everyone,

We are trying to gather some information on access to dentistry and would very much appreciate it if you could take a minute to answer the poll on the homepage of our website.

Thank you!

Hello, just to let you know that there is a comment on our breaking news section from the Minister of the Armed Forces, on the response to the Royal Anglian parade through Luton on Wednesday, which may be of interest to you.

The NFF is excited to announce that at close of play today we will be uploading our new website to this address.

The process will take up to 24 hours; please bear with us during the transition period as you may experience difficulties accessing the website and message boards.

Thank you for your patience and we hope you enjoy the new website!

Hi Emma - I have spoken to our JPA "expert" and he has offered a way forward. Could you email me directly on admin@nff.org.uk and give me your husband's name/service number/UPO please and your permission for me to pass this on? Thanks. Jackie

We have submitted a claim on JPA in December for our daughters CEA(Board) for the 2nd time. On return from Xmas leave the money had not been paid as the UPO wanted a receipt but did not contact us to request this.
The school faxed the relevant details to the UPO and the claim had been approved for payment on the 8th Jan.

This did not happen and following some more visits to them we were told that it would definitely be paid by the 6th February. The school are understandably not happy with this and have told us that unless the money is not paid this week then they are going to be charging daily interest beginning 1st February.

Following calls to Glasgow (JPAC) it transpires that the claim has not even been actioned at unit level and is likely to miss the final window for payment. As a result furher interest will be applied and we are being told that it will not be paid at all this term if the window is missed (which is looking very likely).

Could you possibly offer any advice or contact details of where we can take this higher as no one appears to have any answers or interest in the situation. We are obviously worried as it is damaging relations with the school who want their money and the staff we spoke to seem to think that we will be liable for the interest incurred which we cannot afford in any way nor should have to pay as the errors are not on our part.

Any help would be gratefully received

Regards

test

Wow such a fast rosponse. I have emailed you and thanks again.

sanfrompompey

Can you email me on admin@nff.org.uk. We have a great point of contact in Naples who will be able to help with your questions. I just need a way of passing on your questions.

Kim

Need pointing in the right direction. We are being posted to Naples next Easter. Nothing like the present to start some research. My daughter will be 17 next month, she has global delay with complex medical problems. This will be our second exchange first place was Australia. Oh boy did we go through some red tape and some. The SCE only assists with children up to six form age. If i enrol her in the local school she will only spend a few months before she reaches 18. Do you know or know a man who does who knows where young adults with special needs go once they leave school in Naples (if any place at all) The reasearch i have done seems to only cover an American high school up to the age of 18. I am aware of the language barrier. Thanks in advance for any advise.

Hi Lisa

The HIVE at Thorney Island should be able to help.
Contact details below:

Alexandra Newton
Thorney Island HIVE
47 Fd Regt RA
Baker Barracks
Thorney Island
Emsworth
Hants
PO10 8DH

Email: thorneyisland@hivegb.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 01243 388308
Mil: (9)4295 Ext 8308

Opening Hours: Mon - Fr: 0900 - 1300hrs

Let me know if you need anything else.

Kim

Help ... I need some feedback on schools in the Emsworth area, namely Emsworth Primary, Thorney Island and Southbourne Infant and Junior ... having read all of their OFSTED reports I really don't want to send my children to any of them! I'm besides myself, with sorting everything out for the move ... I really don't need this to add to my worries!

Hi Jackie - thanks for the support, however, we didn't get them into the local school! Absolutely gutted, just searching now to see if there is anything else I can possibly do to get this decision overturned!

HI Lisa - Good Luck for today!!! Let us know how it goes. So pleased CEAS were able to represent you. Keep in touch - Jackie

Please all wish me luck today ... it's the School Appeal hearing and we have a wonderful lady from the CEAS representing us ... I'm all jittery and soooooo nervous at the outcome ....