More children and young people from Armed Forces and veteran families across Wales will soon be able to access additional support, as the Welsh Government confirms a major expansion in eligibility from April 2026.

The changes will broaden the definition of a “service child”, meaning those whose parents have served in the military will now be entitled to support for up to six years after leaving service—a significant increase from the current two-year limit. Eligibility will also extend to young people up to the age of 18, bringing Wales in line with arrangements in England and reflecting the full scope of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The move is designed to ensure that children growing up in military families—who often face unique challenges—are not disadvantaged. These can include disrupted schooling, difficulties accessing Additional Learning Needs support, and the emotional strain of parental deployment.

Support is currently delivered through the Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE) Cymru programme, which helps schools understand and respond to the specific needs of service families. However, ministers say the existing criteria were too restrictive—particularly for children of veterans—prompting a review.

Following discussions with key organisations including local authorities, Armed Forces family groups and the Ministry of Defence, the Welsh Government has agreed to widen access, ensuring more families benefit from tailored support.

The changes are also expected to make life easier for families relocating between different parts of the UK, offering greater consistency and clarity around what support is available.

Work is now underway to better understand how many children will fall under the new definition, alongside efforts to improve data collection and long-term planning.

The Welsh Government says the decision reflects its ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant—recognising the sacrifices made by service personnel and ensuring their families are supported in return.

With global uncertainty continuing, ministers say it is more important than ever to support those who serve—and to ensure their children are given every opportunity to succeed throughout their education.