Who are the Education Advisory Team (UK)?

The Education Advisory Team, EAT(UK) is part of the MOD’s Defence Children Services (DCS)

EAT (UK) is a Tri-Service organisation which supports operational effectiveness through the provision of support to Service and eligible MOD civilian families trying to secure appropriate educational provision for their children in the UK.

Our priority is the educational well-being of the children and young people whose families we advise and guide. All advice we give is child-centred and focused on the best interests of the individual.

The EAT(UK) team is comprised of qualified teachers and experienced case advisors. We have a deep understanding of both educational issues and the challenges of Service life.

The EAT(UK) Team can advise, guide and support families to make informed decisions in accessing high-quality educational experience for their children whilst in the UK, despite the challenges that Service life can present.

How can EAT(UK) help?

The EAT(UK) Team provide authoritative, bespoke and professional advice to Service and eligible MOD civilian families on a wide range of educational issues within the UK, including:

• Parental rights and responsibilities.
• Children/ young person’s rights and responsibilities.
• Special Educational Needs and/or Disability.
• School admissions/appeals in the UK.
• Transition advice: for example, on return from Overseas, when moving between the 4 countries of the UK and transition between Local Authorities within England.
• Retention of Service Families Accommodation (SFA).
• Advice when circumstances sit outside of regulations, particularly in relation to SEND.
• Educational issues, such as school exclusions.
• Initial boarding school considerations before applying for the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).
• School-based advice for children in both state-maintained and independent schools.

Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA)

The aim of Continuity of Education Allowance (Board) is to assist in the provision of continuity of education otherwise denied in the state-maintained day school sector. You must contact EAT(UK) first if you plan to use the MOD’s Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) for boarding education. EAT(UK) offer initial advice to families when considering placing their child(ren) in boarding school.

The EAT(UK) team does not provide advice on overall CEA Policy. You must seek advice from your Unit HR in relation to eligibility and policy advice.

CEA Special Educational Needs Addition (CEA(SENA))

The aim of Continuity of Education Allowance (Special Educational Needs Addition) (CEA(SENA)) is to contribute towards the additional costs associated with a specific support plan for an individual Service Child who has a level of SEND which cannot reasonably be met within the expected resources of a school. Queries regarding the CEA (SENA) can also be directed to us as we review and manage all SENA applications.

Please read the SENA FAQ document for more information.

Contact us for the latest copy of the SENA application form.

EAT(UK) also:

• Provide Individual Serial Numbers (ISN) for initial CEA applications.
• Review and manage SENA applications.
• Provide educational risk input to Defence Business Service Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) casework, where relevant.

EAT (UK) does not make decisions about a child/ young person’s education; we advise families to allow them to make informed decisions.

We strongly encourage you to contact us if you require any advice or guidance regarding your child’s education.