A Game of Snakes and Ladders
The experiences of children from Armed Forces families with additional support needs has been highlighted in a ground-breaking research project.
A Game of Snakes and Ladders: Armed Forces families with children requiring additional support with their education is a report which aims to provide an overview and evidence-based recommendations on the key enablers and barriers that impact a child’s education, wellbeing and family life in Scotland.
The study represents the first comprehensive investigation into the experiences of children from Armed Forces families with Additional Support Needs (ASN) who live in Scotland or are moving to Scotland.
Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the study took place over a two-year period (April 2023-March 2025), to establish “a clear and effective pathway that supports both Serving and Veteran parents, their children with ASN, during transitions into and out of the Scottish education system.”
The research was a collaboration between the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) and the Centre for Military Research, education and Public Engagement (ENU) with Edinburgh Napier University.
Carolyn MacLeod MBE, ADES National Education and Transitions Officer (NETO) for children and young people of Armed Forces families in Scotland, was one of the report authors.
Carolyn, who also runs Forces Children’s Education, said: “It’s imperative we understand the challenges faced by mobile families. The limited research on ASN among Armed Forces children reveals persistent barriers in accessing support services, navigating school transitions and managing academic disruption caused by parental deployment.
“With more than 13,000 children and young people with an Armed Forces background across Scotland’s 32 local authorities, it’s imperative that we are aware of the impact on their education, wellbeing and family life.
“Our report recommends a range of measures to help families access advice and support. We also recommend a sustained and strategic collaboration among the Ministry of Defence (MoD), schools, local authorities and education professionals for a systematic collection of data, refinement of support frameworks and development of targeted interventions.”
Fellow authors of the report include Gerri Matthews-Smith PhD, Professor and Director of the Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement, Edinburgh Napier University; Graham Short MBE TD, ADES Professional Adviser; and Dr Iwona Zielinska-Pocwiardowska PhD, Research Fellow at the Centre for Military Research Education and Public Engagement.
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