Service Children Support Network - RAF Benevolent Fund

Life as an
SCSN Intern!
I am currently completing my Post Graduate Certificate in Education in English at Reading
University. As part of our PGCE course we are required to complete a Further Development
Placement, which could take you to Marwell Wildlife Park, the Roald Dahl Museum, or the Service
Children’s Support Network (if you’re lucky enough to be me) to name but a few! Having been in
the University of London Officers Training Corps for three years while at university, with a
Grandfather who was a Lt Colonel in the Irish Guards, and a boyfriend who is going to commission
into the Royal Anglians this summer, I have some military connections and knowledge of the
Armed Forces. So, when the time came and Reading University handed us a rather large booklet
filled with options for our FDP placement, I was instantly drawn to SCSN both for personal and
professional reasons – and I was fortunate enough to get it!
It immediately struck me as a varied and interesting placement. The brief summary included in the
booklet stated:
“SCSN works with schools, universities, Local Authorities, NHS Trusts, Military organisations,
charities and Military units across the UK and there may be an opportunity for some national
travel during the 3 weeks. A typical week would include elements of the following:
• Working to support Service children and their families in local schools;
• Liaising with multi agency professionals and military units to identify sources of support for
Service children and their families;
• Carrying out assessments in schools;
• Some elements of record keeping and administration;
• Staff development sessions;
• Project management;
• Preparing bids for future projects;
• Policy, planning and board meetings;
• Research;
• Partner work e.g. with Educational Psychologists or local charities.”
The potential opportunity to work with external agencies was something I was looking forward to
as I had not experienced much of this in my teaching placements.