Being an adult volunteer in the Army Cadet Force is a rewarding experience – just ask any of our volunteers who are helping young people develop confidence and new skills every week. However, while working with young people is hugely rewarding it also comes with some responsibilities.
By entrusting their children to the ACF, parents are putting the health and safety of their children in our hands. Within the ACF we take our duty of care to young people very seriously, which is why we make checks on all potential adult volunteers, give our volunteers regular safeguarding training and expect them to abide by the ACF’s values and standards.
DBS / Disclosure Scotland and Access Northern Ireland
Before joining the ACF all potential adult volunteers have to undergo an enhanced disclosure check (Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in England and Wales, Disclosure Scotland in Scotland and Access Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland). These and other security checks have to be completed before volunteers are allowed unsupervised access to young people. We also renew our checks of every volunteer at least every five years.
The disclosure check will reveal any convictions, warnings or reprimands the potential volunteer has received and any other relevant information held by local police. It will also show whether the applicant has been barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Where an applicant has a minor criminal offence, but appears otherwise suitable, the county HQ will discuss the application with their regional Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) before a decision is made. (The RFCA will record the decision and the applicant will be informed by the ACF County.) However, where the DBS shows that an applicant is on the Barred list for working with children and vulnerable adults, they will not be allowed to join the ACF.
Safeguarding is of the utmost importance to the ACF, which is why volunteers are also subject to additional security checks before they join and undertake thorough safeguarding training as part of the induction process. Annual safeguarding refresher training also takes place to ensure safeguarding remains at the forefront of volunteers’ minds. Read more about our child protection policy.
