Introduction
Supporting Service Children in Education Cymru, commonly known as SSCE Cymru, is a Welsh initiative that helps schools, local authorities, families and education professionals understand and respond to the educational needs of children connected to the Armed Forces.
History and Background
SSCE Cymru was developed to address the educational experiences and challenges faced by Service children across Wales. These children may experience school transitions, family separation, parental deployment, interrupted friendships and uncertainty connected with Armed Forces life.
The initiative is hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association and has received funding from the Welsh Government. It works across Wales to improve awareness, coordinate support and ensure that Service children are not disadvantaged because of their family’s military circumstances.
Over time, SSCE Cymru has created a national network connecting schools, local authorities, Armed Forces organisations, families and other stakeholders involved in supporting Service children.
Mission and Purpose
SSCE Cymru’s mission focuses on three interconnected areas: information and evidence, activities and resources, and supportive policies and systems.
The initiative gathers research and evidence about Service children’s educational experiences so that their needs can be properly understood.
It works with members of the SSCE Cymru network to develop activities, guidance and practical resources that support Armed Forces children throughout their education.
SSCE Cymru also collaborates with organisations to provide evidence and influence policies, procedures and education systems affecting Service children in Wales.
Governance and Structure
SSCE Cymru is a coordinated education-support initiative rather than an independent charitable foundation. It is hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association and works closely with the Welsh Government, local authorities and education settings.
Its network-based structure brings together schools, local government officers, education professionals, Armed Forces organisations, family federations and other partners.
This collaborative model allows SSCE Cymru to identify needs, share effective practices and coordinate support across different parts of Wales.
Funding and Grants
SSCE Cymru’s core activities have been supported through Welsh Government funding. This funding enables the initiative to undertake research, develop resources, advise schools and local authorities, organise events and deliver targeted educational support.
The initiative has also administered funding opportunities for eligible schools in Wales. These grants help schools introduce practical measures for supporting Service children.
In 2025, the Welsh Government announced £270,000 in funding for the program, which was supporting more than 2,000 children across Wales. Eligible schools could apply for grants of up to £3,000 for activities such as dedicated clubs, transition assistance, staff awareness resources and peer-support arrangements.
Grant availability, award amounts, eligibility conditions and application deadlines may change between funding rounds. Schools should review the latest SSCE Cymru guidance before preparing an application.
Major Programs and Initiatives
SSCE Cymru School Toolkit
The SSCE Cymru School Toolkit provides schools, local authorities and education professionals with information about the experiences of Armed Forces children.
It includes practical tools that help education settings identify Service children, understand their circumstances and develop appropriate support.
Research and Evidence Collection
SSCE Cymru conducts research to understand the needs of Service children and identify effective forms of educational support.
Its evidence is informed by schools, parents, carers and Service children. Findings have contributed to the development of resources and improvements in education policies and systems.
Research areas include mobility between schools, additional learning needs, mental health and well-being, access to funding, engagement with the Armed Forces community and the support offered by schools.
Service Children Data Collection
SSCE Cymru works with schools to improve information about the number and location of Service children in Wales.
Reliable data helps the initiative and its partners identify areas of need, allocate support and ensure that relevant guidance and resources reach appropriate education settings.
From April 2026, the Welsh Government expanded its definition of a Service child to include children of veterans who left the Armed Forces within the previous six years, alongside children of serving Regular or Reserve personnel and certain children whose parents died while serving.
Service Family Guide
The Service Family Guide provides information about education and living in Wales. It helps Armed Forces families understand the Welsh education system and locate relevant services and sources of support.
Professional Resources and Guidance
SSCE Cymru maintains a collection of educational materials, directories and guidance for teachers, school leaders, local authorities and families.
These resources address school transitions, emotional well-being, deployment, additional learning needs, military culture and communication between families and education providers.
Events and School Activities
The initiative supports activities that bring Service children together, celebrate their experiences and strengthen connections between schools and the Armed Forces community.
Events may include school workshops, festivals, network meetings, professional learning sessions and activities connected with remembrance and Armed Forces awareness.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
SSCE Cymru has helped establish a more coordinated approach to supporting Service children across Wales.
Its grants have enabled schools to create dedicated clubs, offer transition assistance, develop buddy arrangements and provide teachers with information about the experiences of children from Armed Forces families.
Schools have also used support to improve mental health and emotional well-being activities, strengthen communication with families and give Service children opportunities to share their experiences.
The SSCE Cymru Toolkit and related resources have increased access to practical guidance for schools and local authorities. These materials help education professionals recognise the potential effects of mobility, deployment and family separation on learning and well-being.
Research conducted by the initiative has amplified the voices of Service children, parents, carers and schools. This evidence supports the development of more responsive education policies, funding arrangements and school practices.
Collaboration with local authorities and Armed Forces organisations has also strengthened regional networks and encouraged schools to share effective approaches.
Conclusion
SSCE Cymru plays an important role in improving educational support for Service children in Wales. Through research, school resources, professional guidance, grants, data collection and cross-sector partnerships, the initiative helps schools respond more effectively to the distinctive experiences of Armed Forces families.
Its work promotes educational continuity, emotional well-being, inclusion and greater recognition of Service children within the Welsh education system.
For more information, visit here.
