Overseas supportability checks for children with additional needs are currently taking up to six months or more.
You should contact the Overseas Education Support Team (OEST) as soon as you become aware of a potential overseas assignment. But don’t make any assignment-related arrangements until any required assessment is complete and a decision has been made.
Pre-assignment multi-agency overseas impact assessments (MOIA) are needed for children with additional needs. This is to check whether they can be supported away from the UK.
At the moment, due to high demand, there are significant delays in their completion.
Defence Children Services (DCS) has issued a letter that explains the situation fully.
It urges you to discuss it with your career manager or chain of command if the delayed timeline for assessments is likely to affect an overseas assignment.
Please do not contact the OEST to discuss timelines – this is likely to cause further delays. If you have any questions, you can email educationsupport@aff.org.uk
PUBLISHED ON 2 NOVEMBER