Aims of the VPC

• To promote a practical understanding of policing amongst all young people
• To encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship
• To support local policing priorities through volunteering and give young people a chance to be heard
• Inspire young people to participate positively in their communities

We have a vision to be a world-class, socially inclusive uniformed youth group based on the values of British policing, demonstrating every day positive impact in our local communities. This is based on four national objectives-

• Making a difference in local communities, building character, confidence, and contribution through youth-led social action.
• Actively helping divert young people away from negative influences and crime.
• Building trust and confidence between young people, their communities, and the police.
• Enabling young people to have a real voice and influence in building a positive, relevant 21st century policing.

The Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme (VPC) is designed to provide a safe environment in which young people can learn as individuals, develop positive relationships with the police and actively support their community through volunteering. The VPC has a diverse group of young people aged 13 – 18 years, who have a joint desire to support their local communities and gain a practical understanding of policing. Units can meet at a local school, community venue or police force premises once a week and are led by Police Support Volunteers (PSV’s) and supported by police staff. In addition, cadets develop their leadership skills by undertaking challenging social action projects in their communities with an expectation that they will volunteer 3 hours a month. Examples of these projects include supporting older members of the community understand cybercrime and road safety campaigns.

We aim to prepare young people for their future by providing varied activities and opportunities to develop qualifications, enhance inter-personal skills and confidence and achieve a sense of pride through supporting policing.

Whilst the VPC is not a recruitment ground for the Police Service, and we cannot guarantee any cadet further employment or involvement in the organisation. We will offer as much support and guidance as possible to cadets with an interest in an adult role in the Police Service and actively encourage cadets to return to the VPC as Volunteer Cadet Leaders after they leave the VPC Scheme at the age of 18. We are an inclusive organisation and are proud that our cadets represent the diversity of the UK. We aim to have at least 25% of cadets from vulnerable backgrounds.

Senior Roles

Local Senior Staff (Inspector or Sergeant)

• Responsible for the welfare of VPC Staff
• Ensures that all Volunteers are supported by ‘Buddies’

Youth Engagement Officer (YEO)

• Buddy to the Police Support Volunteers in their LPA
• Effective delivery of the corporate VPC training program.
• Ensure the efficient staffing and management of the VPC Units in the LPA.
• Lead on the setting up of new VPC Units, Mini-Police and Junior Cadets in the LPA.
• Ensure Safeguarding standards and Risk Assessment guidelines are complied with, including arranging the
  training of Cadet Leaders.
• Safeguarding Lead for Cadet Units in their LPA.
• Working closely in partnership with the CiP Development Officer for consistent recruitment, training, and retention of volunteer VPC Leaders.
• Regular liaison with LPA Senior Leadership Team to ensure VPC is proactively delivering on local policing and community objectives

HQ Cadet Co-ordinator

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Code of Conduct for leaders and other adults

• Be a good role model with behaviour and an attitude that are line with our values and the Police Code of Ethics.
• Comply with all applicable UK laws and guidance.
• Make sure you follow Volunteer Police Cadets and local policies and procedures and re-read them from time to time as they may be amended.
• Be responsible and accountable in the way you perform your role.
• Be fair and treat everyone with respect and dignity in accordance with the police code of ethics.
  Respects others’ privacy in line with the Police Code of Ethics and other polices and guidance.
• Communicate with others in an open and respectful way whether in person, by phone, writing or digital media.
• Work together with other VPC members, their parents/carers, and members of the public to promote the aims of the Volunteer Police Cadets.

Local Structure

Devon and Cornwall Police Cadet Corporate Model as detailed below follows the principles of the National Volunteer Police Cadet scheme. Using this model ensures continuity amongst all of Devon and Cornwall Police Cadet groups. Whilst ensuring investment in young people and growing our own leaders, and enabling sustainability through the support of volunteers as leaders.

New Cadet Volunteer

All Cadet Volunteers MUST be recruited through the Citizens in Policing Department. No Volunteer will be eligible to attend Cadet Sessions or engage in any Cadet Activities or Tasks until they have received Force vetting clearance and confirmation of acceptance as a Cadet Volunteer Leader.

All Cadet Volunteer Leaders must complete a Safeguarding Awareness Course. It is the responsibility of the CIP Cadet Development Officer to ensure that this has been completed.

Two members of Staff must be First Aid Trained – Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day course)

Cadet Volunteer Unsuitability

The guidance contained in this publication is an attempt to identify what behaviour is expected of adults who volunteer to work with children and young people in the VPC.

Adults whose practice deviates from this guidance and/or their professional code of conduct will bring into question their suitability to work or volunteer to work with children and young people.

Consequently, all adult members of staff must understand what behaviour may call into question their suitability to continue to work with children and young people in any capacity, including that of their primary employment.
Safeguarding legislation and government guidance say that safeguarding means:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome

And ‘the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm – is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who encounters children and families has a role to play.’

Professional Standards

All police officers, staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report suspected corrupt, dishonest, or unethical behaviour. It is recognised however, that it takes a great deal of courage for an individual to come forward, particularly when the conduct being reported concerns somebody that they work with.

It is important that any issues are reported quickly and not left to become an even bigger problem which could have a detrimental effect on public confidence in the police.

Any officer or staff member that would like to report through can choose whether they would like to remain completely anonymous or reveal their identity. It is also that individual’s choice whether they would like to enter any further communication regarding the information they provided.

Please report directly to the CIP Cadet Development Officer cadets@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Unit Size

Numbers are influenced by demand and some populated areas may have many more applications than capacity. Only take as many as you can cope with.
There is no maximum however ratios must be complied with.

1 adult to 10 Cadets inside with a minimum of 3 adult leaders in attendance.

Outside activities should be 1 to 6 depending on the activity and ability of the cadet. A civic parade participation may be supervised by 1: 6 cadets, a letter drop in a challenging area may be 1: 4.

One-to-one situations

It is not realistic to state that one-to-one situations should never take place.  However, one-to-one situations have the potential to make a child or young person more vulnerable to harm by those who seek to exploit their position of trust.  Adult members of staff should avoid meetings with cadets in remote, secluded areas and avoid the use of inappropriate language or signs where possible; such signs may create an opportunity for secrecy or the interpretation of secrecy.  Meetings with cadets outside of VPC activities should not take place without the agreement of supervisory officers and parents or carers.

Cadet Uniform

Cadets will maintain a high standard of personal appearance and must be clean, neat, tidy, and well groomed. Cadets must not chew gum or smoke whilst in public facing roles. When the type of work involved makes a formal standard of dress impracticable, any clothing worn must be presentable and appropriate to the work or activity.
Badges and tie pins will not be worn as they pose a risk in physical activities.
The wearing of uniform openly to and from cadet meetings is not encouraged. Uniforms should be covered when going to or from meetings or event.

Cadets will maintain a high standard of personal appearance and must be clean, neat, tidy, and well groomed. Cadets must not chew gum or smoke whilst in public facing roles. When the type of work involved makes a formal standard of dress impracticable, any clothing worn must be presentable and appropriate to the work or activity.
Badges and tie pins will not be worn as they pose a risk in physical activities.
The wearing of uniform openly to and from cadet meetings is not encouraged. Uniforms should be covered when going to or from meetings or event.

Reflective coats

Reflective coats can be obtained per unit. These will be issued according to need for events and activities not as personal issue, as they are likely to be worn occasionally.

Recycling of uniform

Returned uniform in suitable condition will, where possible, be washed and        reissued. Include the cost of cleaning in your budgeting.

Loss or damage of Uniform items

Loss or damage of uniform items must be judged on individual circumstances.   Cadets who have clearly not cared for their uniform or not stored it appropriately may be disciplined for any loss or damage and/or asked to pay for a replacement.

Ordering of uniform

Uniform can be ordered via clothing stores at HQ Exeter.

Cadet ID Card

An ID card can be requested for cadets from the CiP Development Officer.

Unit Roles

All Cadet Volunteers MUST be recruited through the Citizens in Policing Department. No Volunteer will be eligible to attend Cadet Sessions or engage in any Cadet Activities or Tasks until they have received Force vetting clearance and confirmation of acceptance as a Cadet Volunteer Leader.

All Cadet Volunteer Leaders must complete a Safeguarding Awareness Course. It is the responsibility of the CIP Cadet Development Officer to ensure that this has been completed. Two members of Staff must be First Aid Trained – Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day course).

Secretary

• Record and distribute the Minutes of any Cadet meetings.
• Correspond with any queries in a timely manner and by
  appropriate means.

Treasurer

• Establish through the Force Development Officer for Cadets a project code. Any funding will be deposited in the Force account using that project code along with the budget code J0662. It is against force policy to set up bank accounts for police projects
• Keep accurate records of income and expenses on a spreadsheet and deposit funds into a force account with the appropriate project code. Arrange yearly audit with finance department.
• Any money held in cash should be recorded for auditing purposes if required.
• Receipts will be kept with the record and each year forwarded to the local finance officer or YEO for filing. They should always be available for inspection at a reasonable time.

Events Co-ordinator

• Liaise with Youth Engagement Officer (YEO)
• Organise events and volunteering opportunities
• Creating new events and managing them, ensuring that cadet places are ‘confirmed’ in the ‘Manage Events’
  feature, so that cadets are credited their hours
• Produce resilient risk assessments for events and upload on the MVP.

Marshall Volunteer Portal (MVP) Administrator

• Maintain cadet records
• Input qualifications
• Ensure health and permissions forms are up to date (within 1 year)
• Send communications to cadets using the MVP functions (contact users/parents, private messages, and message boards)
• Take the register at sessions and events

Recruitment Administrator

• Run recruitment campaigns (Autumn term)
• Monitor cadet applications
• Arrange taster sessions
• Monitor and coordinate new cadet interviews
• Conduct Interview
• Arrange for cadet inductions with Buddy

Uniform Supervisor

• Store, issue, and reorder uniform through Youth Engagement Officer (YEO)
• Record keeping

Cadet Induction Buddy

• Follow 10 step guide on induction checklist.
• Once completed update MVP
• Order and allocate uniform

Drill Instructor

• Lead and teach basic drill (cadets enjoy drill, but it is not a requirement of the modern police force)

Uniform Supervisor Assistant

• Store, issue, and reorder uniform through Youth Engagement Officer
• Record keeping

Radios (Airwave) Monitor

• Issue and ensure return of Airwave radios then store in an appropriate place.

Refreshments

• Sell refreshments and monitor supplies. Keep accurate records of money taken for the Treasurer.
• Reorder through appropriate staff.

Publicity

• Produce good news stories for social media and pass to Youth Engagement Officer (YEO).

Head Cadet (Optional, age 16 and above)

• A Cadet who has the knowledge, experience, and attitude to lead by example
• Liaison between Cadets and Adults
• Monitor discipline of Unit and seek appropriate assistance to resolve any issues
• Manage the Cadet Team Leaders by giving advice and lending support
• Overseeing organisation, instruction, minor discipline, sanctions, and rewards, point of contact for cadets with issues, role model, organise and deliver lessons and training
• Social Media monitoring

Deputy Head Cadet (optional, age 16 and above)

• Assist and provide cover for Unit Head Cadet. Work with Unit Team Leaders, uniform checks, lead the Cadets

Deputy Head Cadet (optional, age 16 and above)

• Chosen for their leadership qualities. Monitor and assist the cadets in their teams
• Monitor learning for their cadets
• Deliver lessons and training
• Form good professional relations with their sections
• Monitor welfare issues and report to Unit Head Cadet for action
• Lead their team by example

New Cadet

Eligibility

Young people can join the VPC on or after their 13th birthday. On their 18th birthday cadets become adults and must leave, but should be encouraged to return as Police Support Volunteers (PSV’s). Young people with special needs should be encouraged to enrol as cadets. The VPC actively seeks to recruit young people who have started down the wrong road in life but wish to make a change for the better.

Convictions

The Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) scheme is a national police cadet programme working towards common aims and principles. A founding principle of the VPC scheme is to establish a membership of 25% from a vulnerable background, including those at risk of offending or reoffending. There will often be cases where young people who have convictions for minor offences may wish to join the programme. These people should be judged on a case-by-case basis and their involvement risk assessed and balanced against the benefit for the young person. Volunteer Police Cadets are not vetted; however, it must be born in mind that the safety of the cadet is paramount. Should circumstances come to light, a local intelligence check should be done by an appropriate officer in line with current data protection laws. Unit Leaders may also wish to implement trial periods or “Acceptable behaviour contracts” (ABCs) to set out clear boundaries for these cadets.

Inclusivity

VPC is an inclusive organisation, and all young people should be encouraged to join. Cadet leaders are at liberty to alter and adapt cadet activities and events to allow inclusion of any cadet with special requirements, within reason.
VPC leaders should always consider adjusting where it is reasonable to do so to support and enable the person.
However, it is accepted that in extreme cases some young people require constant close supervision and care. The benefits to the young person should be weighed against the impact of the required adaptations when deciding if an applicant can be accommodated.
Cadet Leaders should make every attempt to accommodate all potential applicants and their needs and should note their justifications on the Interview Sheet if they feel they are not able to. (xxX See Appendix 1 Xxx)
Specialist support and advice in working with children with special needs can be found by accessing Local Authority Children’s Services and Local Community and Voluntary Services.

Vetting

No formal vetting is undertaken for Cadets. One of the aims of the VPC is to reach out to vulnerable young people and as such, the Police have taken a decision that certain young people will have significant challenges. The purpose of vetting is to ensure that people who ‘police’ are suitable for the task and ensure the security of secrets and data. This is not the case with cadets who are young people that we are supporting into adulthood and active citizenship.

New Cadet Enrolment

Cadet Code of Conduct

As a Volunteer Police Cadet, you are representative of Devon and Cornwall Police. It is crucial that Cadets demonstrate high standards of behaviour at all times. This Code of Conduct represents the expectations that Devon and Cornwall Police has of its Volunteer Police Cadets.

• Cadets will act with honesty and integrity.
• Cadets will act in a disciplined and orderly manner. They will observe any reasonable instructions or restrictions requested by leaders or any other member of staff.
• Cadets act with self-control and tolerance, treating members of the public, colleagues and staff with respect and courtesy at all times. The Volunteer Police Cadet scheme will not tolerate any bullying, aggressive, overbearing, or violent behaviour.
• Cadets will act with fairness and equality. They will not discriminate on the grounds of nationality, ethnicity, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age disability or marital status.

Attendance

• Cadets who are unable to attend a weekly meeting will inform a Police Cadet Leader beforehand. Leaders will review the membership of any cadet who fails to attend meetings without offering reasonable explanation.
• Cadets who pledge to attend an event or commitment must do so unless there are exceptional circumstances which prevent it, in which case they must inform a leader as soon as practicable.
• Cadets will arrive promptly for meetings and any other commitments.

Events

How can our Volunteer Police Cadets help?

Suggestions for Volunteer Police Cadet Units and Senior Police Management

Supporting Police

• Crime Prevention – local campaigns – cascade information through peers and schools
• Community events to promote crime prevention campaigns – Internet safety, County Lines, dangers of alcohol and drugs on young people, Bullying, Self-harm, Relationship issues such as consent.
• Young Person Police Focus Groups
• Senior Officer boards – Young person’s voice
• Cordons – provide refreshments for Officers
• Test Purchasing – alcohol, knives, child sexual exploitation
• Speed awareness
• Safe Driving campaigns – Honest Truth
• Vehicle crime prevention
• Property Marking
• Bike Marking
• Support Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
• Promote community messaging/ Crime stoppers
• Force wellness events
• Force sporting events
• Wash Police vehicles

Social Action

• Support local community groups
• Visit vulnerable people/groups
• Graffiti clean ups
• Support local charity – pick a new charity every year
• Meals on wheels
• Coffee mornings
• Gardening
• Litter picks
• Restoration projects
• Local History projects
• Soup kitchens
• Food Banks
• Public Health Campaigns/Awareness

Research the needs of your community and let the Cadets choose the Social Action project.

What are the benefits of youth social action?

When young people take part in high quality social action, everyone benefits:

• Organisations benefit from young people’s energy, ideas, and capacity to create positive change. They gain a different perspective that can shift their way of thinking and open new ways of working.
• Communities benefit when young people feel valued, engaged, and involved. It can create a greater sense of community and boost social cohesion and integration.

Young people develop their character and confidence. They experience higher levels of wellbeing that can help improve their mental resilience. They also develop vital skills and networks that can support future employment.

School Time Events

Occasionally events will be planned or fall within the school term, during school time. On these occasions VPC representatives must not approach schools with requests to release the Cadets for these events.

The Police Service cannot be seen to be encouraging young people to miss out on school time. The Cadets may be made aware of the opportunity; however, it must be their parents/carers who send a letter into the school Head Teacher requesting absence for the reason.

Finances

Each unit will have an assigned project code with the cost centre of J0662. Any funding will be placed in that account. A Project Code does not give you money, just an account number to put money in and out against.
The Volunteer Police Cadet scheme may be able to assist with set-up / starter funding.

Bank Accounts
It is against force policy to set up bank accounts for police projects. Where subs are collected it is recommended that about £50 in cash is securely kept in a safe place and anything over that amount is put into the Force account. The money held in cash should be recorded for auditing purposes if required. Receipts will be kept with the record and each year forwarded to the local finance officer for filing. They should always be available for inspection at reasonable time.

Subs
Recommended amount £3 (local agreement). Having a subscription enables the Cadet Unit to be self-sufficient and adds added value to the Scheme (School clubs cost considerably more).
Where activities beyond sessions are requested then payment will be expected. If a cadet is unable to pay, then consideration should be made to assist them and allow involvement. Fund raising with car washes, sponsored events should be sensitive to the police image and fit in with the aims and objectives of the scheme.

Behaviour

• Any cadet whose behaviour, at any time, may bring Devon and Cornwall Police or the Volunteer Police Cadet scheme into disrepute shall have their membership reviewed.
• Cadets must report to their Youth Engagement Officer as soon as possible if they receive a summons, order, or other notification that criminal or civil action is being taken against them.
• It should however be noted that the Volunteer Police Cadets is a disciplined youth organisation. We have a Code of Ethics to reinforce this ideal.
• This section only applies to breaches of the VPC Discipline code and should in no way be used to replace formal force/ service discipline regulations or criminal proceedings if the circumstances require.

Restorative approaches

The VPC as a programme is built on a restorative approach to conflict and misdemeanour, and the safety and prevention of crime and conflict is of paramount importance.

Failure to challenge poor behaviour appropriately and consistently suggests that such behaviour is acceptable.

Applying a restorative approach to all conflict / poor behaviour is based on the understanding that young people can often display challenging behaviour and will often make mistakes as part of growing up, so it is important that they can learn from these experiences and do so in a safe environment.

Implementing a restorative process, when done so effectively, may often be enough to resolve conflict, repair harm and prevent further harm. However, there may be times when a restorative approach isn’t an appropriate form of disposal on its own but can be used to compliment other disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

Restorative approaches training should be made available to Cadet Leaders whenever possible.

Under no circumstances will any VPC Leader or cadet require or allow any cadet to perform any kind of physical punishment or “reward”.

The use of physical punishment is archaic and is ineffective in the correction of inappropriate behaviour. The VPC does not under any circumstances condone its use.

Anti-bullying

Devon & Cornwall Police take bullying very seriously. ‘We all have the right to feel safe all of the time’ ‘We can talk with someone about anything, even if it feels awful or small’. Please report any form of bullying to a Leader or member of staff.

Four key approaches to Restorative processes

• Respect – for everyone by listening to other opinions and learning to value them.
• Responsibility – taking responsibility for your own actions.
• Repair – developing the skills within a cadet community so its individual members have the necessary skills to identify solutions that repair harm.
• Re-Integration – working through a structured, supportive process that resolves the issue and ensure behaviours are not repeated, allowing cadets to remain in the police cadets whilst also achieving all the above.

Discipline Procedure

There are the following types of formal discipline action:

A Verbal Warning
B Written Warning
C Final Written Warning
D Suspension
E Review/ Revocation of membership (Dismissal)

Outcomes A, B, C will be dealt with by the Youth Engagement Officer and the CiP Champion for the LPA. Outcomes D, E will be dealt with by the Force Lead and or the Citizens in Policing Cadet Development Officer

Depending on the nature of the misconduct/ discipline breach it may be decided to give any of the above discipline actions without first going through the previous stage. A serious breach may result in direct review or revocation of membership.

Parents/Carers MUST be informed of any discipline procedures.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding legislation and government guidance say that safeguarding means:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome

And ‘the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm – is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who encounters children and families has a role to play.’

Duty of care

The responsibility which rests upon an individual or organisation to ensure the safety of a child or young person involved in any activity or interaction for which that individual or organisation is responsible.
Any person in charge of or working with children and young people in any capacity is considered to owe them a duty of care.

The VPC does not act in loco parentis for cadets under the age of 18 and parental responsibility remains with cadets’ parents, guardian, or carers in accordance with Section 2 of the Children Act 1989 (England and Wales), Sections 106 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and Sections 5-7 of The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
The only exception to this is in the event of a cadet requiring urgent medical treatment, including any emergency operation, when parents, guardians or carers are unable to physically give consent and they have delegated this responsibility on a medical consent form and certificate of health.

If the guardian of a cadet is designated as the Local Authority Social Services Department, but the cadet has been in long term care of foster parents or become very close to their foster family then, for minor issues, the cadet leader should consider whether it is more appropriate to contact the foster parent in the first instance.
Any serious issues will need to be discussed with Social Services and cadet leaders are to ensure that they are in possession of the details of a point of contact in Social Services for the cadet.

This handout is available for all Cadet Leaders from the HQ CiP Cadet Development Officer or downloaded below.

It is the primary responsibility of all adult members of the VPC 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 VPC activities and when in contact with members of the VPC.  All adult members of staff therefore 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 suspicions or allegations of inappropriate behaviour arise; this applies to all cadets and not just cadets under their immediate control.

The VPC aims to ensure that all cadets are kept safe from harm while they are in its care by:

1. Providing parents/guardians/carers with information about what we do and what they can expect from us.
2. Making sure that all adult members of staff are Safeguard trained to Level 2 plus every Cadet Unit must have a safeguarding trained Level 3 member of Police Staff (Youth Engagement Officer) to escalate concerns or ask for advice.
3. Providing a means for cadets and parents/guardians/carers to report their concerns if there is anything, they are not happy about.

The VPC also aims to protect volunteers and staff by:

1. Establishing rules for an appropriate balance of male and female adult supervisors in relation to the gender of cadets.
2. Establishing the correct ratios of adults to cadets for best practice.
3. Ensuring, where possible, that a single adult is not alone with any cadet for any length of time or placed in situations where their conduct can be misconstrued.
4. Ensuring that only those adults who are properly cleared and appointed have regular unsupervised access to cadets.

Positions of trust

Although young people over 16 years of age can legally consent to some types of sexual activity, they may still be relatively emotionally immature. It is essential; therefore, that those who have a responsibility for them recognise this vulnerability and make sure it is not exploited.  It is also important that those in a position of trust have a clear understanding of the responsibilities this carries to ensure they do not abuse their position or put themselves in a position where allegations of abuse, whether justified or unfounded, could be made.

An individual in a position of trust may have the power to confer advancement or failure.  The relationship may also be distorted by fear or favour. It is therefore vital for all those in such positions of trust to understand the power this gives them over those they care for and the responsibility they must exercise consequently.

A position of trust can be described as one in which one party is in a position of power or influence over the other by virtue of their work or the nature of their activity.  Adult members of staff need to remain sensitive to any children who appear uncomfortable, for whatever reason, should recognise the potential for such activities to raise concerns or lead to misunderstandings.  It is not appropriate for adults to take photographs of children for their personal use.

Such a definition on its own could be spreading over a whole range of VPC activities, including day-to-day relationships between adults and cadets of any age.  Care is always needed when such a relationship potentially exists, but such a wide interpretation goes beyond what is reasonably defined as a position of trust. Such relationships also need to be defined by reference to the other party in the relationship, especially where the other party is particularly vulnerable, whether through age or in other personal circumstances.  A relationship between an adult member of staff and a cadet cannot be a relationship between equals.  There is potential for exploitation and harm of vulnerable children.  All adult members of staff therefore have a responsibility to ensure that an unequal balance of power is not used for personal advantage or gratification. All VPC adult members of staff are, therefore, in a position of trust in relation to cadets.

Where a person aged 18 or over is in a position of trust with a child under 18, allowing a relationship to develop in a way that might lead to a sexual relationship is wrong.  A sexual relationship itself will be intrinsically unequal whilst in a position of trust and is therefore unacceptable.  It is also inappropriate since the ‘professional’ position of trust would be altered. For these reasons, personal relationships between adult members of staff and cadets of any age are not allowed.

Communication with Cadets

To safeguard ourselves from allegations we must use the Marshall Volunteer Portal for communications. All personal information, all events, and all messages (message boards and private messaging) must be via the VPC Portal. All adult leaders should be reminded not to use closed social media groups such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms with cadets or private message cadets, the Marshall platform has been developed to provide a safe solution. We can expect scrutiny at a very senior level as this request will be circulated to chief officers for their awareness and support for you in this area. The Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer has made it clear that he expects all Cadet Units to use the VPC Marshall Portal for their needs.

Cadet Leaders must not be “friends” with Cadets on any social media network in a private capacity.

Photography and videos

There are several public buildings, which may include swimming pools, sports centres, etc., that have a clearly defined policy of not allowing the taking of photographs or videos under any circumstances and, in these instances, such policies must be followed.

Adult members of staff may, however, be involved in the taking or recording of images as part of their normal duties and, in these circumstances, in addition to complying with local policy; they are to follow the guidance laid down.  Any such work should take place with due regard to the law and the need to safeguard the privacy, dignity, safety, and wellbeing of cadets.

There may be occasions, however, when specific consent from parents or carers will be necessary when photographs of cadets are going to be published outside of the VPC and it is planned to include personal details.  When cadets do not have parental consent for their photographs to be used in any form of publicity material, the Cadet leader or event organiser must endeavour to ensure that photographs of them are not used. Please note that a completed Consent Form is required by Corporate Comms for all individual images that they use in publications to comply with the GDPR Law 2018.

For further guidance on specific safeguarding issues visit

https://vpc.police.uk/about-us/safeguarding-statement/

Health and Safety

Risk Assessment

All activities will be suitably risk assessed. All cadets must be properly briefed on the hazards of the activity, and control measures should be put in place to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury.

Each activity must have a risk assessment and must consider the ability of the cadets and the ratio of cadets to adult supervisors.

Risk assessments must be uploaded onto the Events on the MVP

Generic risk assessments can be found on the Police Cadet One Stop Shop and can be adapted for individual events / locations. For reference there is a risk assessment lesson plan on the Marshall Volunteer Portal.

If outside organisations/partners are being used to run an activity or an event, then copies of their risk assessments must be obtained at an early stage.

The persons conducting the risk assessment process on behalf of the VPC should examine these risk assessments to see if they are fit for purpose. The fact that these risk assessments are in place should be mentioned in the risk assessment produced for the VPC. If there is any doubt as to whether the outside organisation’s risk assessments are suitable and enough for the purpose, then advice must be sought from local Health and Safety department and the licensing authority for the activity in question e.g., AALA. Copies of the risk assessments obtained must be kept at the originating Unit and included in any submissions regarding a VPC activity.

If using non police premises, please get a copy of their risk assessment and insurance certificate.

Emergency Situations

If a Cadet Leader is ill or injured whilst involved in a cadet meeting, event or camp, leaders will deal with the incident according to prevailing circumstances.

Priority will be given to maintaining a safe environment for everyone present and rendering appropriate first aid for all involved in the incident.

Once the incident has been brought under control, consideration will be given to informing the designated emergency contact officer of the situation to:

• Seek guidance and instruction in dealing with the on-going situation.
• Consider whether a formal investigation should commence; and Inform next of kin.

The normal manner of informing next of kin will be through your Youth Engagement Officer (YEO) This allows for a calm and thought-out approach to passing on the information by someone not directly involved in the incident. People present at the incident will be discouraged from making direct contact with next of kin as this kind of contact is often highly charged and conveys an impression that the incident is a great deal more serious than might be the case.

First Aid

Two staff members of each Cadet Unit must be First Aid Trained (Emergency First Aid at Work 1-day course). Please contact the CiP Cadet Coordinator to arrange a local course. A first aid kit will be available at all sessions and events.

Injury

• Any Cadet that is injured or has a near miss will be required to complete an incident reporting form (Form 2508) stored on the Marshall VPC Portal and pass to a Sergeant.

Transport

The safety of the cadet is paramount.

Vehicles fitted with seatbelts must be used. Vehicles must not be overloaded, and safety exits must not be obstructed.

Drivers must be qualified / licensed for the type of vehicle and the use to which it is being put.  When minibuses are used, the driver must also have the relevant qualifications, (e.g., MIDAS certificate when using local Authority vehicles).

Reference must be made to local Police Driver and Vehicle policies. This is to ensure that legal and relevant regulations are being adhered to.

It must be ascertained who is to insure the vehicle. The extent of any breakdown cover must be considered. What would happen in the event of a breakdown? Is there a replacement vehicle available? Consultation must take place with local Insurance management units regarding vehicle insurance.

All VPC Leaders involved at any level in the transport of cadets must make      themselves aware of the local police policy regarding the transport of cadets.

In addition, VPC Leaders should note:

• No cadet / young person is to be transported in the Leaders’ own private motor vehicle.
• No Leader should be alone with a cadet / young person in any vehicle; there must be at least one other person present, preferably an adult.
• Transport arrangements must be documented in the risk assessment for the event or activity, to include Leader ratio and gender.
• Wherever possible use pool police vehicles.

Cadets may be asked to arrange their own transport to a location to “parade” for an event. In these circumstances the cadet’s parents or guardians must be informed of this fact. It is then the decision of the parent or guardian how the cadet travels to the location. In these circumstances no risk assessment for travelling is required as the cadet is not in the care of the VPC until they have paraded at the location.

Unit Inspection

The Devon and Cornwall Volunteer Police Cadets Scheme recognizes the importance of child protection enshrined in the Protection of Children’s Act 1999.

For this purpose, the following Unit inspection table has been developed to ensure that each Unit is run in accordance with the Devon & Cornwall Manual of Guidance for Cadet Leaders and Devon and Cornwall Police policies, to ensure there is a continued safe working practice.

6 monthly Self-Inspection (Local Level)

Unit to be inspected by their Local Youth Engagement Officer. If a Unit fails to complete a self-assessment, they will be deemed to be working outside of the VPC policies and guidance. Immediate review and action plan, with consideration of closure will follow.

Data Protection

There are 6 principles on which data protection is based upon.  The Data Protection Act 2018 incorporates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Law Enforcement Directive (LED).  It is our responsibility as an organisation and as individuals to comply with these principles.  If we do not follow these rules, then we may be in breach of the Act and could be prosecuted for it.

GDPR relates to general processing of personal data by the Force such as, HR, finance, planning, and procurement (this is by no means an exhaustive list).

LED relates to the processing of personal data by the Force such as, the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties including safeguarding against and the prevention of threats to public security.

Please report any breaches of GDPR to the CIP Cadet Development Officer: cadets@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk