Evidence Gathering Reactive


processing Service Family Accommodation (SFA) application forms; an apparent reluctance in some areas to issue specific details regarding allocated properties; delayed move-in date; and concerns about the distance between some allocated SFA and the parent unit. In many cases it was apparent that there was a breakdown in communications between the DIO Housing Information Centre (HIC) staff and the occupant/family which had led to misunderstanding and frustrations on both sides. It is clear that DIO are already working under increasing pressure, with the reduction in both staff and resources and there are concerns that this will only increase in the coming months, with the changes due to be implemented post April 2012.


During 2011, the RAF Families Federation was contacted by 301 individual families who raised 359 separate issues or concerns, which were recorded on our confidential Evidence Database. 52% of those issues were raised by serving personnel, 46% by non-serving family members and 2% by veterans or Reservists. We also received requests for advice and support from 308 other families who sought general information on a wide range of subjects, such as locating veterans’ Service records, RAF recruitment policies and advice following marriage breakdowns. These enquirers were all signposted to the appropriate organisations, ranging from SPVA to the local Citizens Advice Bureaux.


Key Issues Housing We received 165 housing-related issues from RAF families located across the UK and overseas. Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) specific issues included: frustrations about delays in


14 www.raf-ff.org.uk


One particular subject highlighted to us by some occupants was the apparent lack of understanding within DIO about those family members who may have additional needs eg. children who have been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum. Families were concerned that the supporting medical evidence they submitted was not always accepted by DIO HIC staff and that they were being challenged at every stage. Particular concerns were also flagged on the need to acknowledge the time it can take for children with autism to adapt to new surroundings or accept visitors (eg. contractors) in their homes, with families urging DIO and MHS to take these concerns into account when arranging house moves or repairs to properties.


Concerns about the repair and maintenance of SFA primarily focused on the condition of SFA at move-in, which many suspected was because the 48-hour ‘handover appointments’ between MHS and DIO staff were not taking place in some areas because of staff shortages. Also, serious problems with damp and mould in some properties, with occupants believing that the contractors were literally ‘painting over the problem’ rather than trying to treat the cause. Families appeared to be caught in a ‘circle of doom’ between DIO and MHS, with neither organisation apparently willing to accept responsibility for the particular problem or offer a solution to families, many of whom have suffered from health problems as a result of living in these poorly maintained properties.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20