News & Views

The publication of the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025 provides an important opportunity to reflect on progress in supporting the Armed Forces community, and in particular the children and young people growing up in Service families.

The report highlights continued national commitment to improving outcomes across education, housing, health, childcare, employment and transition support. Together, these areas form the wider system that shapes the lived experience of Service children and young people — a core focus of the SCiP Alliance.

What the report means for Service children and families

The Covenant report reinforces the importance of joined-up, place-based and cross-sector approaches to support. For Service children, this includes:

• Recognition of the unique challenges associated with mobility, parental deployment and transition

• Ongoing focus on educational support and opportunity

• Wider family stability through improvements in housing, childcare and access to services

These themes closely align with the SCiP Alliance vision:

'Thriving Lives for Service Children'

The role of the SCiP Alliance and its community of allies

The SCiP Alliance exists to connect research, policy and practice, ensuring that the needs and voices of Service children inform decision-making at local and national levels. This work is only possible through the collective efforts of allies across the community — including schools, local authorities, charities, researchers, funders and policymakers.

Through shared learning, evidence-informed resources, events and collaborative projects, the SCiP Alliance continues to:

• Strengthen the evidence base around Service children’s experiences

• Equip and support education settings to better understand and respond to need, including through the use of the Thriving Lives Toolkit

• Influence policy and practice through constructive engagement

• Build a strong, connected community committed to long-term impact, including through the hub network

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report reflects many of the areas where this collective work is making a difference — and where continued collaboration will be essential.

Looking ahead to the SCiP Alliance’s tenth year

As the SCiP Alliance approaches its tenth year in 2026, this moment also provides an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the University of Winchester, which continues to host the Alliance and support its work. The University’s ongoing commitment has been central to the Alliance’s growth, independence and impact over the past decade.

Looking ahead, the SCiP Alliance remains committed to working alongside its allies to ensure that national commitments translate into meaningful, lived improvements for Service children and young people.

Together, the community will continue to learn, collaborate and advocate — ensuring that Service children are recognised, supported and able to thrive.

Read the full report here.