Splitting up when in a MQ overseas, and kids in Service school

Trying_to_be_good

Can anyone help, please - what happens? My step-kids (I'm their step-mum) are about to find out the hard way and they're currently in Germany. Their step-dad is the soldier who has moved out, so I'm guessing there's some form of 93-day rule on the MQ, but it's also their schooling that's going to be affected.

Thanks.

Lottebear

As far as I am aware, you can say that you are separating, so the Army gives you a cooling off period, they then can contact you and ask if you are getting back together, if you aren't you then you are normally given 90 days notice, having seen some of my neighbours they have much longer than the 90 days.

kazd

who's kids are they if you are the step mum and he the step-dad

Trying_to_be_good

I'm their step-mum, married to their dad (also a serviceman), living in the UK.

They are living with their mum and step-dad (a soldier) in Germany. Their step-dad has now moved out.

It's a confusing situation.

Thanks for reading and helping.

MoneyHoney

oops, duplicate post, see below

MoneyHoney

There's some useful info here:

http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/housing/irregularoccupancyfeb09.pdf

Some families seem to get longer than 93 days and this can be for a multitude of different reasons. However, usually the 93 days do apply and then families remain in the quarter for sometime longer whilst accommodation is acquired/located. During the period after the 93 days a new rent charge is applicable, based on local council rents.

I'm guessing things will be a bit different for Germany i.e. the rent charge once the 'Notice to vacate' has expired as it's based on local authorities.

It may be worth contacting AFF and the Hive for further information. If there's no 'family home' back in UK, Mum will need to contact a local housing authority back in UK asap and to make a claim for future housing benefit (once the notice to vacate expires). The only time when education is taken into account is in connection with final term for examinations and sometimes where a statement of special educational need is in place. There's a few exceptions/more clarity on this:

http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/housing/retainingaquarterorhiringforeducationalreasonsoct08.pdf

Trying_to_be_good

Thank you so much -the kids are all primary age, so although SATS are involved, it looks like that won't be taken into account, though I know Welfare will take the personal circumstances into account. Our focus is obviously the kids and ensuring they are as settled as possible.

bonsibabe

Well I have been moved from a quarter back to the UK. She could ask her families office if they can help her get a surplus quarter in the UK in the area she wants to settle in. If not they can place her in the cotswolds. The rule of thumb is 93 days but we were in our surplus quarter from August till just this month when we finally got into a council property. They will ask for her to fill out a form giving her circumstances (like on waiting list for property). Once the 93 days have been issued, then a council can accept her as non-intentionally homeless which puts her as priority for housing.

Good luck and hope that helps

Trying_to_be_good

Thanks, bonsibabe.

I don't think it'll be a social housing situation owing to a generous (previous) divorce settlement, so it's a matter of finding private accommodation - not so scarce as social housing. Thanks for the reminder about the Cotswolds centre.

We just want the kids to be able to settle somewhere as soon as possible, bless their little cottons.