The Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) is for Forces families who have a dependent with an additional need and/or disability. This group is run by a Committee, family members themselves, who have experienced similar situations. They provide families and individuals with an opportunity to discuss ways of ensuring that children and adults have access to the best support available. Its mission is:
To give a voice to Forces families with additional needs and disabilities.
To change attitudes towards families with additional needs and disabilities within the Armed Forces.
To ensure policy and decision makers understand the needs of Forces families, who have additional needs and disabilities.
Last year, to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the FANDF, the committee conducted a survey of issues faced by Serving Forces families with additional needs and disability. The new survey report, ‘Families Fighting on…’, written by the FANDF committee, shares the voices of this sometimes-overlooked Additional Needs and Disability community within the Armed Forces. This is the first time that this demographic has shared these insights and their experiences in an official capacity with the Ministry of Defence.
The committee also produce The Additional Need and Disability Guide: A Guide for Service Families. This aims to signpost some of the services and resources available to families, to help find the appropriate support and make life easier. This can be found on https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/disability-support/additional-needs-and-disability-support/fandf-resource-archive.
For further information and to find out how to become a member please go to the FANDF website https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/disability-support/additional-needs-and-disability-support.
