The RAF Brize Norton COMPASS (Children of Military Parents Accessing SEN Support) Team have been recognised at the recent Diversity Inclusion Awards 2022, winning Best New Initiative Award.
Recognising huge potential to address a gap, the COMPASS Team came together offering help to unit personnel whose children have special educational needs or disabilities. Quickly gathering momentum, they offered a diverse range of care, from coffee mornings, evening gatherings and one-to-one meetings with a dedicated support worker.
Their initiative has seen school holidays filled with bespoke family activities and Special Educational Needs, and disability training workshops offered across the Whole Force at RAF Brize Norton. Working with Station stakeholders, the team ensured the sensory challenges faced at Brize Families Day were negated, reducing stress and challenges for many. The team are a lifeline to over 100 families at RAF Brize Norton and their achievements have been exceptional. COMPASS is currently supported by funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Established in 2019 by Sergeant Sue Polley and Flight Sergeant Jilly Searles, the team have helped RAF Brize Norton families through the challenges they'd experienced as dual serving families with autistic children. They have both overcome significant challenges to secure support or diagnosis for the children and found themselves increasingly approached by other serving families for advice and guidance.
On receiving the award, Sergeant Sue Polley said:
“I am delighted to see COMPASS recognised in this way and at the forefront of the wider RAF. It has come a long way since I established it, thanks to the constant support from Flight Sergeant Jilly Searles and Mrs. Emma Taylor and Jess Price, Community Development Officer. Our dedicated committee and team of COMPASS Champions have worked extremely hard to ensure all families at Brize feel part of our wonderful military community. It is a privilege to be able to represent these families, to ensure they have a voice and tailored support that makes a difference to them.”
Sergeant Sue Polley
COMPASS Co-Founder
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