Pastoral Care, Discipline and Safe Guarding in the RAF Air Cadets

 

Ethos and Values

The role of the Royal Air Force, in conjunction with the other UK defence organisations, is to deliver the UK defence vision:

• • Defend the UK and its interests.
• • Strengthen international peace and stability.
• • Be a force of good in the world.

We achieve this aim by working together on our core task to produce battle-winning people and equipment. The Royal Air Force will build upon the successes of our past and on the characteristics that make air power essential across the full spectrum of operations in order to contribute to the Defence Vision.

Our people lie at the heart of this capability. We rely upon their professionalism, dedication and courage. We must train them well and enable them to leverage the potential of technology to achieve our vision of:

“An agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission.” “The distinctive character, spirit and attitude of the RAF which together inspire our people to face challenge, and, on occasion, danger. It is underpinned by tradition, esprit de corps and a sense of belonging. It encompasses the will to contribute to the delivery of effective air power that arises from confidence in the chain of command, trust in colleagues and equipment, respect for individuality, sustainment of high professional standards and the courage to subordinate personal needs for the greater good.”

 As members of the Air Cadet Organisation we all need to aspire to the above.

The Air Cadet Organisation - Commandant's Intent

It is the intent of Commandant Air Cadets to ensure that the ACO:

• – Is the uniformed youth organisation of choice for teenagers.
• – Provides opportunities for adult volunteers in personal development whilst making a difference to the lives of our youth.
• – Is conducted legally, safely and in accordance with best practice. – Is modern, flexible and committed to continuous improvement.
• – Offers opportunities to all in an environment respect equality and diversity in accordance with the RAF Equal Opportunities directive.
• – Has a strong corporate identity and engages widely throughout the UK.
• – Fosters leadership and good citizenship founded on commitment and self discipline.
• – Offers value for money focusing on maximising cadet experience whilst minimising costs.

Air Cdre D Mcafferty - Values of the ACO

• • Respect – both self and mutual
• • Integrity – always
• • Service – service before self
• • Excellence – striving for excellence

Vision of the ACO

“To ensure that the Air Cadet Organisation continues to flourish and to remain true to the ideals laid down in its charters, particularly the provision of dequate aviation and other challenging activities to enable it to attract and retain membership and thereby provide example and leadership for the country’s youth.”

Mission Statement

“To sustain a vibrant and effective ACO in an ever changing society supported by trained and committed staff.”

The Air Cadet Code of Conduct - Personnel Instruction 501

This document is there for every cadet and cadet’s parents to view. Just speak to your Commanding Officer.

• • Clarification of ages for cadets
• • The ‘Cadet Code of Conduct’
• • Guidance regarding cadets with disabilities
• • No need to leave on pregnancy
• • Application process for over-18s
• • DBS requirements
• • Requirement for cadets to report arrests etc
• • Sanctions
• • Leaving the ATC
• • Complaints
• • Speaking Out
• • Pers Form 40 
• • APPLICATION FOR AN EXTENSION OF ATC CADET SERVICE BEYOND 18 YEARS OF AGE
• • Pers Form 41

 Cadet Code of Conduct

Details

• Upon becoming a member of the ATC all cadets are committing themselves to following this Code of Conduct and all cadets are required to:

• – Set an example they would wish others to follow and treat everyone with equal respect and dignity.
• – Respect and be sensitive to individual beliefs, faiths and religions.
• – Respect each others’ rights to privacy.
• – Not make fun of anyone else because of their colour, race, religion, abilities or disabilities.
• – Keep others informed of where they are and what they are doing whilst engaged on ACO activities.
• – Attend squadron parade nights at the specified times on a regular basis, unless leave of absence has been previously authorised by the Sqn CO.
• – Not leave an air cadet activity without permission from an adult member of staff.
• – Abide by all air cadet orders when undergoing air cadet activities.
• – Work as part of a team. – Listen to fellow cadets and adult members of staff.
• – Report any concerns they have about the way a fellow cadet is being treated either during an air cadet activity or at home, to an appropriate adult member of staff.
• – Show understanding and sensitivity to others.

• Whilst encouraging the maximum participation possible of young people with special needs and chronic conditions in ACO activities, it is recognised that the acceptance of individual cadets must be

• – At Sqn CO’s discretion, depending upon the facilities and staff available in squadrons
• – As well as an individual applicant’s particular needs or conditions.
• – But the ACO has general legal liabilities under the headings of criminal law, duty of care (to CFAVs, cadets and the public), child protection and health and safety.
• – However, the ACO has no legal liability or obligation to provide a particular level of support for a cadet with a specific learning difficulty, disability and/or chronic condition, other than in a health and safety/ general duty of care context.

• Before accepting such an applicant into a squadron, the CO is to:

• – Establish parents/carers the boundaries of the applicant’s involvement in ACO activities and their own involvement in the cadet’s activities and ensure they understand both. Discussions of this nature with parents/carers need to conducted sensitively and should ideally be conducted by the Sqn CO supported by a Wing Staff Officer (WSO) (or OC Wing in very difficult or sensitive cases).
• – Obtain a written report (at the parents’/carers’ expense where applicable) on the young person from the applicant’s doctor stating clearly the limits to be placed on their activities and any special precautions to be taken.
• – Consider whether or not a formal risk assessment is required by the Regional Health and Safety Adviser. – Ensure that all appropriate persons in the squadron are made fully aware of the circumstances of, and any treatment prescribed for, any cadets with disabilities or chronic conditions, and actions to be taken in an emergency.

Pregnancy

• • Health and safety considerations are paramount when dealing with pregnant cadets.
• • Therefore, in the interests of the mother-to-be and/or her unborn child
• • Pregnant cadets will only be permitted to continue attending ACO activities as long as there is no risk to the health of either.
• • When pregnancy becomes known, the cadet must tell her Sqn CO.
• • The Sqn CO will notify the ACO HS&E Adviser (through WHQ) and arrange for a risk assessment to be created in accordance with JSP 375, Volume 2, Leaflet 36.

Ages

• • Year 8 or 12 to 17
• • Extendable to 20
• • Can join up to 17th birthday
• • Exceptionally, a cadet over the age of 17 may re-join the ATC once they have left, subject to Rgnl Comdt’s approval

Conditions of Extension Beyond 18

• • Need AVIP and DBS
• • Meet specific criteria 
• • Achieved the Leading Cadet classification.
• • Possess a specific skill that adds value to the ATC, such as:
• • Flying and gliding; VGS Staff Cadet, AEF Staff Cadet, GS (solo), Flying Scholarship, Pilot Navigation Scholarship, Gliding Instructor
• • Shooting; any training or supervisory qualifications.
• •Adventure training; any recognised instructional or supervisory qualifications
• • Ground training; qualifications or skills in first aid, food handling, radio communications, BTEC in Aviation Studies or Public Services, musical instruments, leadership, information technology
• • Sport; qualifications in coaching a specific sport or a Community Sports Leader’s qualification
• • Submit a Pers Form 40 (Application for an Extension of ATC Cadet Service over 18 Years of Age)
• • Approved by Sqn CO and OC Wg 
• • If a cadet has not met the all of the pre-requisite criteria OC Wg may, at their discretion and on a case by case basis, appoint a cadet as a staff cadet providing the cadet has passed BASIC and obtained an enhanced criminal records check before their 18th birthday 
• • Cadets of 18 and 19 are “Staff Cadets”
•  • Wear an epaulette with “Staff Cadet” and their NCO rank badge
• • Staff cadets, except when undertaking supervisory duties, should, where possible, be accommodated in alternative accommodation to younger cadets. Where available, this may be in junior ranks accommodation, including transit accommodation.
• Cadets aged 18 and over in England and Wales may continue to attend ACO activities 
• - Provided that their PersForm 40 has been approved by OC Wg and their completed DBS application has been submitted to DBS. 
• - They are not to be permitted unsupervised access to cadets under the age of 18 until their clearance has been confirmed.
• - Cadets who have not completed a DBS application form before their 18th birthday are to be excluded, without prejudice, from all ACO activities until they have applied.
• • Any cadet who is:
•  - Arrested
• - Issued with a warrant for arrest
• - Is under investigation by the police or social services
• - Who is officially informed that a charge is to be preferred against them
• - Is convicted of a criminal offence or receives a police caution, warning, reprimand or fixed penalty notice
• - Is the subject of any child protection concern (eg by a professional body, primary employer or educational establishment)

 Must inform their Sqn OC Immediately

Leaving the ACO

An individual will cease to be a cadet member of the ATC in any of the following circumstances:

• – At his or her own request.
• – On reaching the age of either 18 or 20, depending on whether the application for an extension of service has been granted in the former case.
• – When joining the Armed Forces, or their Reserves or Auxiliaries.
• – If he or she has not attended a parade for 2 months, unless there are extenuating circumstances, eg exclusion without prejudice.
• – On being dismissed for serious misconduct.

Complaints

Complaints, disagreements and disputes should be resolved informally at the lowest possible level if at all possible.

• – A cadet who thinks him or herself wronged may report the matter direct to the Sqn CO.
• – If a cadet thinks he or she has been wronged by his or her Sqn CO the complaint may be reported to the OC Wg
• – If still unhappy with the outcome, to the Regional Commandant.

Any member of the ACO is required by ACP 4 to report any suspicions or evidence of abuse or harm concerning a child whether it is within or outside the ACO.

• – No-one should feel, or be made to feel, uncomfortable, bullied or intimidated by doing so or being coerced into not reporting them.
• Cadets should feel comfortable and free to report, at any time, any child protection concerns within or outside the ACO to any member of staff and all commanding officers are to endeavour to create a culture to ensure there is some means for cadets to do so.
• – Cadets should know to whom they should report concerns and also what is likely to happen as a result
• – they must have confidence that they are being listened to. – In addition to support within the sqn, contact details for the NSPCC ChildLine are to be prominently displayed.

• If in doubt – look it up

• If still in doubt ask your Sqn OC

Child Protection and Safeguarding

Duty of Care

There are two aspects of Duty of Care:

• – Moral
• – Legal

The ACO takes both seriously. Duty of Care applies to both yourself and your colleagues, not just to cadets.

Ages of Responsibility - What the Law Says

• • UN Charter on Children states anyone under the age of 18 is a child.
• • Under 10 years: no criminal responsibility.
• • 10 to 14 years: may be held responsible depending the severity of the crime.
• • 14 plus: fully liable for all criminal action.
• • Under 16s cannot:
• – Consent to sex 
• – Marry
•  – Ride a moped
• • Aged 17 plus can:
• – Drive a car 
• – Ride a light motorcycle 
• – Possess a crossbow or firearm
• • Aged 18 plus can:
• – Vote 
• – Obtain credit 
• – Purchase: Alcohol,Cigarettes,Tattoos, Lighter Fluids and Blades

APC4 Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Policy Statement

“It is the primary responsibility of all adult members of the ACO to safeguard the moral, psychological and physical welfare of children regardless of gender, religion, race, ability, disability, sexuality and social background by protecting them from any form of physical, emotional and sexual abuse or neglect.” “All children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse and harm when engaged in ACO activities and when in contact with members of the ACO. All adult members of staff have a duty of care, which makes them responsible both for safeguarding children in their care from abuse and harm and for responding swiftly and appropriately when suspicious or allegations of inappropriate behaviour arise.”

What to do if You Yourself or a Fellow Cadet has a Safeguarding Issue

• • Refer to ACP4 Child Protection Guide and the Yellow Card issued by HQAC to Staff and Adult Staff Cadets
• • The Sqn OC.
• •If the problem does involve another cadet, member of staff or anyone directly connected with the ACO then the OC and WSO must be advised immediately.
• • Depending on the problem, there are many helplines available to get advice from.
• • The NSPCC Child Protection Helpline – 0808 800 5000.
• • Your Wing Executive Officer at your WHQ • Your Sector Commander or Wing CP Advisor – available on [email protected] XXXXX indicates the name of your wing.
• • Your Squadron Chaplain

Social Networking Policy

•It is inappropriate for adult staff to be ‘friends’ with cadets on social networking sites. This also applies to cadets adding an adult member of staff as a ‘friend’. The only exception is for members of the same immediate family.

• Cadets over the age of 18 years may remain ‘friends’ with cadets under 18, but they must be acutely aware that they must show a good example to younger cadets.

• Contact between a member of adult staff and a cadet should only be made in a visible area of an official site or group. Cadets and staff may, however, be members of the same online group. • Any member of the ACO must not bring the organisation into disrepute, either through comments or actions made online.

• All personnel should be aware that social networking has led to a number of high profile and localised episodes of bullying and exclusion, as well as sexual grooming in the UK, particularly amongst young people.

• Any member of the ACO found to be taking part in such actions may face disciplinary or administrative action and could have their service terminated.

• All members of the ACO should be aware that texting on mobile phones between cadets and adult volunteers or permanent staff and vice versa is not advised unless for official business (e.g. timings of an event).

• Above all, remember to: Follow the same standards of conduct and behaviour online as would be expected elsewhere. Always maintain personal information privacy and security. Get appropriate authorisation, where required, from the chain of command.

• Personnel who breach these guidelines may find themselves the subject of an internal investigation and/or administrative action.