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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