Thank you for your interest in participating in this research on families' experiences of the overseas postings cycle.
Before you decide to take part in this study, please take time to read the following information carefully. If you have any questions, you can contact the research team at VFFO_Research@randeurope.org.
What is the purpose of this research?
This study explores the experiences of the overseas postings cycle among UK military families. The study will provide an improved and up-to-date understanding of how families experience: a) considering and preparing for an overseas assignment, b) undertaking an assignment overseas and c) returning from an overseas assignment.
Why have I been invited to take part?
RAND Europe would like speak with ex-Serving UK Armed Forces personnel and partners of Serving and ex-Serving UK Armed Forces personnel to understand their experiences. The focus groups will help capture military families' voices in the research and ensure it is an accurate reflection of families’ experiences.
What will be involved if I take part?
You will be invited to take part in a focus group via Microsoft Teams which will take around 90 minutes. If you volunteer, you will also be invited to a follow-up focus group to help develop recommendations for policy and support to families.
The study team will take notes during the focus group and, with everyone's permission, will record the discussion via Microsoft Teams. All statements will be kept confidential and your name will not be attached to comments you make during the focus group. The information gathered during the focus groups will be used only for the purpose of this study.
Do I have to take part?
No, taking part is entirely voluntary and you can decide not to take part or withdraw at any time.
If you withdraw from the study, any personal data that has been provided will be deleted. However, any research data provided prior to withdrawal will be anonymised and retained for analysis. This is because focus groups are conversations between participants and it will not be possible to remove your individual contribution.
You may request the personal information we have about you removed at any time until the data is destroyed (1 year after project close, approximately October 2027).
Are there possible disadvantages and/or risks in taking part?
There are no identified risks and/or disadvantages associated with taking part. All the questions posed in the focus group are optional and you have the right to decline to answer.
However, we appreciate that everyone’s experiences are different and the questions we will ask might make you think of some difficult or challenging experiences. If you feel unsettled or find it difficult to talk about these experiences, you do not need to answer and we will signpost you to relevant support.
We appreciate that this discussion is a burden on your time and that we are not providing any financial compensation or reimbursements. We hope that this will be offset by the research having positive impact on policy and future support, though we cannot guarantee that the research will have such impact.
How will you use the information I tell you?
Information you give us will be analysed amongst the other data (desk research, interviews) collected as part of the research and written up in a report. The report will be published at the end of the project on the RAND Europe website. We will not disclose to the Army Families Federation or others who have participated in the focus groups.