Education Advisory Team (UK)
Published 7 July 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-advisory-team-uk/education-advisory-team-uk
EAT (UK) is made up of qualified teachers and experienced case advisers who all have a deep understanding of both educational issues and the challenges of Service life. They put the educational well-being of the children and young people whose families they advise at the core of the service provided. All advice given is child-centred and focuses on the best interests of the individual.
Whilst the education of children is a parental responsibility, EAT (UK) can advise, guide and support families to enable them to make informed decisions regarding the education of their children in the UK, while navigating Service life.
EAT (UK) do not make decisions about a child / young person’s education. The team can only inform and support families to assist them in making informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes for their family.
1. Role
EAT(UK) provide authoritative, bespoke, and professional advice to Service and eligible MOD civilian families on a wide range of educational issues, within the UK, including, but not limited to:
- children and young people’s rights and responsibilities
- parental rights and responsibilities
- advice on Special Educational Needs and / or Disability (SEND)
- assistance with school admissions and appeals
- assistance for families regarding boarding school, Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) and queries regarding CEA special educational needs addition (SENA)
- advice prior to postings back to the UK where policies vary from each devolved government
- advice when relocating within the UK, because education is a devolved matter and there are different policies between each of the devolved administrations
- advice regarding school admissions and statutory processes involved before moving to a new school
Retention of Accommodation (SFA) queries must go directly to Pinnacle. EAT (UK) can provide educational advice and input to casework if required, but they are not the decision makers.
2. Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA)
Service Personnel must contact EAT (UK) if they are considering applying for the MOD’s Continuity of Education Allowance. EAT(UK) can explain the process and ensure Service Personnel have access to the information required regarding this allowance.
EAT (UK) maintain and oversee the MOD Boarding School Database which contains the details of schools which are eligible for the CEA and can provide detailed information regarding boarding school considerations for Service Personnel to consider as part of their decision-making process.
EAT (UK) provides educational advice to Service Personnel, such as the, ‘suitability for boarding’ for a child prior to the initial claim within CEA. They do not provide advice on CEA policy and cannot comment on eligibility.
The team also provides Individual Serial Numbers (ISN) for use in the CEA Eligibility Certificate application forms used by Service Personnel as required by paragraph 14.0114 in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 752.
3. Continuity of Education Allowance (Special Educational Needs Additional) (CEA(SENA))
The aim of CEA (SENA) is to contribute towards the additional costs associated with a specific support plan for an individual service child who has a level of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) which cannot reasonably be met within the expected resources of a school.
Decisions on the suitability of the CEA (SENA) allowance will be made by EAT(UK), who are subject matter experts in education. If approved, the allowance will be granted in line with the criteria outlined in JSP 752, Chapter 14, section 2. Confirmation will be provided through a CEA (SENA) Certificate issued by EAT(UK), which will detail the specific allowance and its end date.
4. Day School Allowance (North Wales)
In common with all other MOD educational allowances Service Personnel considering placing their child in a school eligible for the payment of Day School Allowance (North Wales) must seek advice from the Education Advisory Team EAT(UK). Further information can be found in section 14.0603 of JSP 752.