Select Committee on Foreign Affairs Written Evidence


Memorandum submitted by Diplomatic Service Families Association

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ANNUAL REPORT 2003

  1.  Thank you for inviting The Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA) to submit a short memorandum on its present concerns.

  In recent years the FCO has vigorously pursued its gender diversity agenda, and this has in turn contributed to changes in the DSFA, which represents the interests of spouses and partners of FCO diplomatic officers. Our membership comprises some 3,500 spouses/partners (including unmarried and same-sex partners), an increasing number of foreign born spouses/partners (ca.15%) and an increasing number of male spouses/ partners (ca 10%).

  2.  Partners have no contractual relationship with the FCO, and in the same vein the DSFA is since this year a legal body separate from the FCO (a company limited by guarantee) funded through an annual grant from the FCO.

  3.  The DSFA's principal tasks are to provide information, referral services and support to our members, to advocate on their behalf and to work with the FCO Administration on family friendly policies. Employment is the biggest issue for our members, who face fractured careers, interruptions in their contributions to National Insurance and Pension Schemes and the challenge of finding meaningful activities in the countries in which their officer partner is posted. Education is a close second; the funding of higher education in the UK of children of crown servants posted overseas is a persistent problem, as is the integration of children into the state school system when they return from an assignment overseas. Accreditation and working permits for partners overseas is a third area of concern. The DSFA works closely with the FCO Administration to address these problems within existing budget restrictions, but is also faced with the challenge of finding a willingness to work together in other government departments.

  4.  Post profiles are changing as posts are increasingly staffed by officers from other government departments and the private sector. For those officers who are not seconded to the FCO for the duration of the posting, terms and conditions abroad are set by the home departments. This is often a source of misunderstanding and malcontent among the spousal community at post. The DSFA seeks to be as inclusive as possible of all dependants abroad and is working to strengthen connections with other government departments who send officers overseas.

  5.  Given the diversity within the DSFA membership, specific and current information for individual situations both in the UK and at post is important. The network of Community Liaison Officers at 87 posts informs and supports both UK based officers and their families, underpins much of the DSFA London Office's work and makes a palpable difference to staff morale overseas. The DSFA is working on the expansion and strengthening of this network.

  In all its work, the DSFA is well supported and appreciated by the FCO Administration.

  I trust that this will be helpful to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and would be glad to answer any further queries.

Emilie Salvesen,

Chairwoman,

Diplomatic Service Families Association

June 2003





 
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