NEXT STEPS: Understanding children and young people’s experiences of navigating life after their families leave the Armed Forces.

There are estimated to be over 120,000 children and young people with at least one parent/guardian serving in the UK Armed Forces. Despite considerable research focussing on the serving personnel, veterans, and spouses, the unique experiences of the children and young people, including before, during and after the transition of their serving parent/guardian out of the Armed Forces, remain underexplored. This leaves a critical gap in research, policy, and practice, with limited knowledge and evidence available on which to base tailored support. The Next Steps project is essential to address the knowledge gaps by exploring the experiences of children and young people before, during and after their parent/guardian transitions out of the Armed Forces.

This project will employ a multi-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, in two distinct phases.

• In phase 1, a youth advisory board will be established to co-design research tools and materials, including the questionnaire and interview guides, ensuring they are age-appropriate and inclusive.
• In phase 2, data will be collected via a questionnaire with children and young people aged 8-21; qualitative interviews with children and young people, parents/guardian and stakeholders; and focus groups with children and young people. This will provide data on 1) the impact of the family transition; 2) changes in identity, wellbeing, education, social networks and sense of belonging over time resulting from the practical, physical and emotional implications of transition; and 3) the role of protective factors and support systems in shaping experiences and outcomes

The aim of the research is to work with children and young people to explore the areas that they indicate need consideration. The generated knowledge will be used to identify good practice that currently exists in supporting them, as well as the further development that is needed. It starts from the premise that this is a heterogeneous group from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, both positive and negative, and with expertise about their own lives. By directly involving children and young people in the design of the research and process, the study will provide a rich, authentic, detailed and nuanced understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges they experience at this particular transition point in the serving parent’s/guardian’s career and their family life.

1. What are the lived experiences of children and young people aged 8-21 from Armed Forces families in relation to the practical, physical and emotional implications that arise before, during and after their parent/guardian leaves the Armed Forces?

2. What are the unique opportunities, challenges and outcomes associated with these transitions and the impact on identity, wellbeing, and sense of belonging from the perspective of the children and young people, and stakeholders that work with them?

3. How do the experiences of these children and young people at this specific transition point compare with others in similar age groups, including those from outside the Armed Forces?

4. What evidence-based recommendations can be developed to improve support for the children and young people and those who work with them before, during and after the transition?

• Youth Advisory Board: 12 young people aged 12-19
• 500+ children and young people aged 8-21
• 20 parents/guardians
• 10 stakeholders