RAF Dispersed Families: Summary Briefing Paper

Summary: This report summarises work completed through an RAF Families Federation project into the experiences of dispersed families within the RAF; defined for the purpose of the research as those not living within 10 miles of their Parent Unit. The project was funded by the Chancellor, using LIBOR funds. The research was instigated in response to: alack of knowledge regarding Dispersed Families within the RAF, and UK Armed Forces more generally and an acknowledgment of the changing ‘RAF family’ – including those not entitled to SFA and those who aspire to greater geographical stability as a result of personal circumstances. Also an anticipation that the Future Accommodation Model (FAM) could lead to a greater proportion of RAF families becoming dispersed. The research gathered data through online surveys, family interviews, an online stakeholder survey, plus a range of informal stakeholder meetings.