The project was commissioned by FIMT and is being undertaken by Brunel University of London in conjunction with the University of Portsmouth, Forces Children Scotland, and Academic Consulting and Education Services (ACCESS).

here are estimated to be over 120,000 children with at least one parent serving in the Armed Forces in the UK. Whilst awareness of the challenges faced by Service personnel during their transition to civilian life is increasing, there is a gap in evidence of the lived experiences of Armed Forces children and young people.  Therefore, the project team will study the experiences of children and young people aged 8-21 in the period where their serving parent/carer is making or has recently made the transition out of the Armed Forces. The research is underpinned by these key research questions:

What are the experiences of children and young people before, during and after parents/carers leave the Armed Forces?
What are the unique opportunities and challenges associated with the transition from the Armed Forces community and the impact on children and young people?
How can support be most effectively organised and implemented for these children and young people before, during and after transition?
The project will use a co-design approach to ensure that the voice of the children and young people is central in shaping the way the research is designed and conducted, and in the research outcomes and publications.