Diversity & Inclusion

The Army Cadets value equality and diversity, aiming to deliver safe, inclusive training for all cadets and volunteers. We celebrate and promote inclusion as a core strength of our organisation.

Group of diverse cadets smiling while out in the field

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Our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Our diversity and inclusion strategy provides support to our inclusive culture. It focuses on improving our awareness and support of diversity, through leadership development, effective teamwork and ongoing education of our cadets, adult volunteers and professional support staff. We uphold our Army Cadet values and standards to ensure everyone within our organisation feels welcome, included and valued.

How do the Army Cadets Promote and Encourage Inclusion?

Adult Volunteers within the Army Cadets have several stages to develop their awareness of diversity and inclusion. This follows alongside their increase in leadership responsibilities. They are taught the importance of the Army Cadet values and that these must be demonstrated and taught to all cadets; courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment.

It is important that all of our Cadets are supported and enjoy the learning and opportunities we offer to them. We offer learning support strategies to help with neurodiverse cadets and adults to ensure everyone is supported. Our adult volunteers are trained instructors and not registered care providers.

Carers or family members can join as adult volunteers and enable an individual who requires care to participate in cadet activities where assessed to be possible.

Who can Join the Army Cadets?

We welcome all young people from the age of 12. Once you become 18 years old we will support you in staying in the organisation to become a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, where possible. It is important to note that there is a requirement for all adult volunteers to be able to supervise and safely enable cadets to participate in their training and activities. This is assessed during the initial stages of application and training.

As an organisation, we are open to welcoming people of all diverse ethnicities, faiths, sexualities, genders, ages and abilities. For cadets, having additional needs does not mean that you cannot join the Army Cadets, however, we may need to jointly develop an additional support needs plan with you, to help you take part.

If you wish to join as an adult volunteer with additional needs, this is not a barrier to you joining provided that you are able to supervise and protect our Army Cadets in their training and activities. This requires a reasonable level of cognitive and physical ability.

Introducing the D&I Networks

The following networks will make up the Army Cadet Inclusion Network.

LGBTQ+ Network

To represent members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community to include all peoples’ gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientation.

Find out more

Disability and Neurodiversity Network

To represent members of the Army Cadets who have a disability or difficulty in a physical, sensory or neurodiverse meaning. This will be in connection with the wider Wellbeing team.

Find out more

Multicultural Network

To represent the range of ethnicities, faiths and cultural backgrounds across all of our Army Cadet members.

Find out more

Social Equity Network

When there are systemic inequalities, this network will aim to ensure everyone in the Army Cadets has access to the same opportunities and outcomes.

Find out more

Training for Adult Volunteers

We offer Diversity and Inclusion training and education opportunities to our adult volunteers, as well as having local, regional and national leads to support our Army Cadet Diversity and Inclusion Strategy with advice and guidance. We look at each situation on a case-by-case basis focusing our planning around a cadet-centred approach to ensure that the best practice is applied to enable and include everyone, as much as possible with the resources and facilities that we have available to us. We encourage our adult volunteers to train and become Diversity and Inclusion Allies to offer understanding and support to their local Army Cadet units.

Adult Volunteers can also choose to complete their Level 3 Award in Education and Training via our Cadet Vocational College, which sets them up with an inclusive awareness of learning.

Cadet Activities

It is vital that when a cadet joins the organisation we are made aware of any needs or difficulties they may have so that the right people can be placed to support their participation. We are bound by data protection legislation and respect for the individual, so any information shared is managed with care to ensure that those who need to know are informed. This sets our cadets up for greater success at their unit and on residential camps so they can enjoy themselves and achieve their best potential.

We can make reasonable adjustments to our cadet activities to enable inclusive participation. We also expect a high standard of respect and behaviour amongst both our adult volunteers and cadets. It is worth visiting your local unit and having a conversation with our volunteers to see what we do and understand how we can include you or your young person.

We work holistically in collaboration with other elements of our Wellbeing Team to best support our cadets and adults. Medical Support, Healthy Minds and Chaplaincy make up the other aspects of our person-centred approach.

Adult Volunteer Testimonial

Maj S Chittock RLC

Moving from the Reserves to the Cadet Force wasn’t seamless; it was rocky as I learned systems and culture. Yet it’s been revitalising - my passion reignited by young people and by ensuring every cadet belongs. In the ACF, inclusivity is the bedrock.