Too often, children’s rights are seen as something to consider after services have been designed. But a Rights-Informed Public Health Approach could change this—and the Forces Children's Rights Charter can help.

For Forces children, relocation is more than a house move. It also means changing schools and GPs while adapting to a new social and communal environment. But currently, support for this transition is split across systems that haven't been designed to join up.

Service life brings predictable challenges for babies, children and young people from Armed Forces families. But too often, public systems do not anticipate these needs before they arise. Here is a new framework that could change this: a Rights-Informed Public Health Approach.

'The Journey to Civvy Street' was co-produced with children and young people to reflect how they experience the transition to civilian life and show that every journey is unique.

Our policy team today held a productive meeting with the Lord Provost of the City of @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social, Cllr Robert Aldridge, and the Director of Education, Jackie Reid.

We are deeply saddened to share the news of Malcolm Noble's passing. Malcolm was our former Chair and a dedicated Ambassador for FCS. Under his leadership, we grew into the multifaceted, Scotland-based charity we are today.

Scottish Borders Council adopted the Forces Children's Rights Charter this morning, becoming the third local authority in Scotland to do so. This is another step forward for Forces children's rights in Scotland. Read more: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/scottis...

What a day at the Armed Forces Community Big Day Out at Craiglockhart Campus! 🎉 Our young people had the chance to chat with @louisesandherjones.bsky.social, Minister for the Armed Forces. .They spoke to her about the Forces Children's Rights Charter and the difference it could make to their lives.

We are delighted that Inverclyde Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse and adopt the Forces Children's Rights Charter, and we'd like to thank Cllr Graeme Brooks, for his support in making this happen. forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/first-s...

We're delighted to announce that Inverclyde Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse the Forces Children's Rights Charter, following a unanimous decision at its full council meeting yesterday. forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/news/first-s...

It's often said that when one person serves, the whole family serves, and that includes living through the transition to civilian life. Young people are invited to help lead brand-new, UK-wide research into what this experience is really like: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/projects/nex...

What support works best for children and young people from Armed Forces families, and how can we evidence it? The SCiP Alliance Impact Centre is bringing together professionals for a nationwide Listening Tour to explore these questions, with dates in Scotland from 27 May.

When a parent leaves the Armed Forces, this means big changes for the whole family. This new book is here to help children navigate the transition. Join us on 26 May for the launch of Max’s Big Move! 📚

Being a young carer can be overwhelming, and young carers from Armed Forces families are an under-recognised group. But support is available to make things easier for young people with caring responsibilities.

In homes across Scotland, there are children with additional responsibilities that can be overwhelming, and are often overlooked. They are the Forces young carers: children from Regular, Reservist and Veteran families who provide essential care for a loved one.

We know that the news over the weekend, including the drone strike at RAF Akrotiri on Sunday, may feel worrying, especially if you are part of a Forces family. If you’re a teacher or work with children and young people: Please be mindful that pupils from Forces families may be affected...

Last week, we spent a day thinking big about what we want to accomplish for babies, children and young people from Forces families. Joined by Dr. Liam Satchell, Director of the Impact Centre at Service Children's Progression Alliance, we reflected on how we measure our activities and goals.

Recently, our participation team held sessions that invited children to explore their feelings with words and clay: ‘what is deployment? how we feel? and what is hard?’ We're embarking on a new project exploring the feelings that arise throughout a parent's deployment.

How can we meet the needs of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines community? First and foremost, by better understanding these needs. A major new study commissioned by Greenwich Hospital offers deep insights into the lives of Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families.

We're supporting #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek with Place2Be. This year's theme speaks to what we've heard from children and young people from Forces families. Fostering a sense of belonging, with respect their unique identities, is essential to upholding their wellbeing and rights.

We’re so proud of the young people who helped develop the Forces Children’s Rights Charter. We recognise their commitment to making a difference for their peers, and that’s why we nominated them for the Armed Forces Advocate award at the #2026CelebratingForcesFamilies Awards. 🏆

Dr. Rogers and her team have co-created award-winning, research-based resources you can access for free anytime, including books especially made for children from forces families. Download ‘D is for Deployment’ and other resources now: ecdefenceprograms.com/modules/cour...

Participation is especially relevant to the Armed Forces context, where a loved one's service and a wider culture that values resilience and self-reliance can make it harder for children to share their views.

We can't wait to meet more forces-connected children and young people in 2026, but do you know about our online projects and resources, available any time and place?

Forces Children Scotland will be taking a winter break from today at 5pm until Monday 5 January. However you celebrate, we hope you and your family enjoy the holidays, and we're excited to reconnect in 2026! 🌟

No matter what your field, you can bring forces children's rights into the conversation. Here are some top tips on how to become a Forces Children's Rights Charter Defender: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/become-a-rig...

Happy birthday to His Majesty King Charles III! We're grateful for his ongoing support as Patron of Forces Children Scotland.

We value the volunteering journey from start to finish, and it's always great to hear positive feedback when someone moves on! 🌟 Volunteering with us is an impactful way to support children and young people from forces families and gain lifelong skills.

Looking for a new job opportunity? We're looking for someone to support rights-based participation work with children and young people from forces families in the East of Scotland. The role is part-time (21 hours per week) and home-based, with travel in Edinburgh, or Angus and Fife.

The co-developed Forces Life Talking Mat is now available to support children and young people from forces families with ASN, and any forces child who is struggling to communicate their feelings with speech alone. Thanks to the Army Benevolent Fund for making this project possible!