AFF Northern Ireland - How we have helped
AFF helps many families locally with different issues but for confidentiality reasons we cannot give details of them all.
On this page:
Recent achievements
The last five years
Recent achievements
Electric showers and insulation: Following the AFF NI Conference in May, an issue was raised about the lack of electric showers and insulation with the SFAs in Lisburn. DIO produced a business case for the funding for the showers and insulation at Lisburn. The money was approved through the 3CR process and planning commenced to complete the programme over the next few months. This was a bit of a land mark as it is the first time DIO have been able to secure central asset replacement funding from what was DE Ops Housing (now DIO Accommodation).
Security briefs: All new families arriving in NI are to be given a brief by the UWO before they are issued with the permanent dependants’ card. AFF has campaigned that there be a requirement for all dependants to receive a security brief upon arrival and this is their solution. We are monitoring this as it has not had a successful start. Security briefs and updates are available at regular intervals.
NHS dentists for boarding school children: Families have experienced difficulties trying to access an NHS dentist for boarding school children whilst they are home in NI. This issue was solved a year ago but due to change in policy within the health provision in NI, it is causing difficulties for families.
We have again been able to sort this out so if the parent gives the NI Dentist the child’s GB NHS number, the dentist will call the BSO for authorisation, and then treatment can take place, however we recommend this to be mentioned to the dentist at the time of booking an appointment so costs are not incurred.
Should there be any further problems with this, please contact Claire Braddock, Director AFF NI on 028 9226 6875
AFF NI Conference 2011: Download the Conference Questions and Answers.
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The last five years
Conference successes: Electric showers and roofing installation fitted into all SFAs within Lisburn. Greater information is available to soldiers and families before a posting to NI.
2010-2011
Dental appointments in NI for children at boarding school (on the mainland) returned as issue. This issue had been solved in 2010 but due to dental policy change, children coming home from boarding school had to pay for dental treatment when at home. This has now been solved.
Dependants over 18 are now not allowed to be issued with their dependants ID card until they have received their own personal security brief from their UWO. They are then invited to the monthly security and welcome brief within the barracks for further information from the CRAC cell. This was all down to campaigning by AFF NI since 2008-2009.
2009-2010
Following the Families Forums, many issues were raised and resolved:
It was raised that there were no carbon monoxide detectors in SFAs, however oil burning boilers can produce carbon monoxide and black soot has often been seen around the boilers. This issue was raised with DE who agreed to fit all SFAs with the carbon monoxide detectors within Northern Ireland.
A concern for families was the safety on camp walking from quarters to the nursery and other areas around the barracks. Therefore it was requested that a path be constructed at the edge of the car park to make it safe for families. The path was completed within months of the Families Forum.
The midwives/health visitors had experienced problems accessing camp to see pregnant or new mums. A procedure was put in place in conjunction with the Station Commander and the NISGS. No further problems occurred.
2008-2009
As contractors were turning up for repairs, it was apparent that they had no form of ID to produce when entering an SFA. Due to the security climate families encounter, they were no longer happy to let a ‘workman’ enter their home without having proof of their identity. This was soon resolved with workmen being given proof of ID.
Units were not forthcoming to give security briefs to families, however AFF NI impressed the need to ensure families felt safer living in NI. In March 2009, two soldiers were shot dead in a drive-by shooting at Massareene Barracks. This incident alone caused many families to leave NI and move back to the mainland. Following this event, some units did give their families a security brief, however others did not. AFF NI voiced their issues through the chain of command to ensure that ALL stations gave their families the rather delayed security brief. This did happen.
At present, AFF NI are asking for policy to be written to ensure that all families arriving in NI receive a security brief, and these briefs are available once a month This is an ongoing task for AFF NI to ensure that all families are properly briefed and can feel safer living their lives in NI. (see 2011-2012).
2007-2008
The end of ‘Op Banner’ has had significant affects on families in NI especially as many monitory benefits of being in NI were cut. SFA charges were brought in line with the rest of the UK and this caused anguish with families. Some didn’t understand how to work out the new costing of the SFA charges and AFF NI were instrumental in informing families of these charges.
As JPA was introduced to all serving personnel, this caused problems for families in NI as the ruling on port of entry for final moves was forgotten. This issue was fought by AFF NI with G1 who reintroduced this allowance on JPA.
Within NI, all passes (dependant, MAH, CWO) were to change and families were to be reissued with new passes. The dissemination of this information had not been widely advertised and families were not aware of the changes. AFF NI worked with each station and informed families of these changes before the cut-off date and all passes were introduced without too much stress.
As families moved into new build SFAs throughout NI they were being re charged the installation cost for their BT line. This cost had already been met by the contractors. AFF NI worked closely with DHE, G6 and the BTLO to reimburse families the cost of the line rental.
Problems surrounding the NI Cleaning Scheme and the standards for Move Out were brought to our attention but after several meetings with DHE and a Province wide check list produced, these problems were alleviated. The Move In/Move Out facility, which is unique to NI.
School buses were put in place years ago for security reasons, but with the end of ‘Op Banner’, funding was withdrawn. AFF NI campaigned to G1 with many families and funding was reinstated until the next review in June 09, and the school buses remain for welfare reasons.
2006-2007
A number of changes to the Army footprint in NI between 2006-2007 had an impact on AFF NI. The resident battalion moved out of Omagh Station, with the subsequent loss of the Omagh Co-ordinator’s post. Draw-down in Ballymena, Portadown and Ballykelly will also inevitably result in the loss of Co-ordinator coverage in these areas later. Families in both areas were beginning to feel the impact of the Army’s ‘normalisation’ plans.
The official end of Op Banner was in August 2007. Changes were announced with regards to the pay and allowances package in NI. The Welfare Review in NI was ongoing, with most agencies facing cuts in funding.
AFF NI made significant progress in 2007 regarding the education of Armed Forces children in NI. On 29 November the Dept of Education issued a letter outlining an exception that is to be put into legislation regarding the admission of Armed Forces children with July and August birthdays into Primary 1. The exception meant that July and August birthday children will be allowed to start school despite falling below the NI school starting age.
This is exceptionally good news for Army families, and the result of many years of hard work from AFF NI, ETS Branch, and CEAS. Flexibility was also built in to allow admission into the relevant year further up the school, with individual principals making final decisions.
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