CADETS BRANCH AIR FORCE AND AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS ADULT AGE CADETS R. Harrison Air Commodore Director General Cadets - Air Force 14 Mar 11
AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS HEADQUARTERS ADULT AGE CADETS Introduction 1. As an organisation, the AAFC has a number of policies and procedures that govern what we do. The primary document that sets policy for the AAFC is the AAP 5110.001 Australian Air Force Cadets Policy Manual (AAFC POLMAN). It is an authoritative document that provides the Chief of Air Force s policy direction and guidance for the administration and management of the AAFC. Much of the policy originates from community expectations (for example, duty of care and occupational health and safety principles), Government direction and various relevant policies in use in the Air Force and the Australian Defence Force. 2. The AAFC has a range of policies that contribute to our Child Protection obligations and combined, provide a comprehensive coverage and protection to young people under our care. 3. These policies are quite clear for all AAFC staff and apply to all cadets regardless of age. However, it is clear that cadets who are facing the transition from minors to adults at 18 years of age fall into a special category as they are legally an adult but their service in the AAFC as a cadet means they must still comply with all the policies and procedures that have been implement for all cadets. 4. It is important that as an organisation, the AAFC implements a formal process where all cadets who are about to turn 18 years of age undergo a formal program which helps prepare them for the change and to ensure that they understand the policies and procedures that will apply to them and also those that as an adult, they would also be expected to comply with. Key Principals 5. The AAFC will implement the following policies in relation to cadets prior to them turning 18 and remaining in the AAFC: a. all cadets, prior to turning 18, are to complete the ADF Cadets Safeguarding Children Awareness Program and the details are to be recorded in CadetOne, b. all cadets are to complete mandatory annual briefing on the AAFC Behaviour code for Cadets and have the details recorded in CadetOne, c. all cadets over 18 are to complete the mandatory annual briefing on the AAFC Behaviour code for staff, d. all cadets, other than those who are over 18 and are a full time student at school, are to undertake the training which can be completed individually and examined by their TRGO or CO. Details are to be recorded in CadetOne, e. all cadets are to be interviewed by their CO prior to turning 18 and are to discuss their intentions and to be briefed on a number of policy changes which come into
2 effect when they turn 18. The CO is to complete the Transition Briefing Record and file it on the cadets personnel file and record the result in CadetOne, and f. all cadets are to undertake a WWCC prior to turning 18 as applicable to the state they reside in. Relevant Policies 6. Within the AAFC POLMAN, there are a number of related policies which will impact cadets turning 18 years of age. The cadets need to be aware of these policies and to know how they apply to their service within the AAFC. These policies are: Part 2, Chapter 4, Child Protection Policy Part 2, Chapter 5, Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Policy Part 2, Chapter 7, AAFC Behaviour Policy Annex A Cadet Code of Conduct and Statement of Compliance Annex B Staff Code of Conduct and Statement of Compliance Annex C Preventing Unacceptable Behaviour Annex D Dealing with Unacceptable Behaviour Annex E Reporting and Record Keeping Part 2, Chapter 8, Alternate Dispute Resolution Policy Part 2, Chapter 9, Adverse Administrative Action Policy Part 2, Chapter 10, Complaint Resolution Policy SCAP Training 7. The AAFC is a participant in the Defence Safeguarding Children Awareness Package, produced by ACCYO. The course is an online course that cadets who are about to turn 18 are to undertake. 8. AAFC cadets who complete the SCAP package will receive an electronic certificate with their name, course completion date and a certificate number. This certificate is to be sent to their CO or TRGO to be entered into CadetOne as a record of completing the course. It is the responsibility of the cadet completing the course to ensure that the unit staff enters the details within a reasonable time frame and to follow up if this is not done. The AAFC will be relying on the C1 record for subsequent follow up action. ADF Cadet Behaviour Code 9. Cadet Policy Branch (to be replaced by CRESD) developed and issued to all units the ADF Cadets Behaviour Policy and Code of Conduct. This policy requires all Commanding Officers to provide a briefing to all cadets and staff each year on the Behaviour code. The policies and procedures are contained in manuals which were sent to all units. 10. COs are to ensure that all cadets and staff receive this briefing each year and that all cadets over 18 years of age receive the additional staff briefing each year as well as receiving it prior to them turning 18 years of age.
3 Training 11. The legal issues relating to being 18 in the AAFC are covered in depth on both the CUO Course (SKO) and CWOFF Course (SKW). Both of these courses have a triple period on "Law", and the MOGT specifies that these must be taught by an experienced, qualified staff member. 12. The courses also cover considerable discussion on the concepts of activity approvals, OH&S and there are discussions and scenarios worked through relating to relationships between senior and junior cadets. 13. The training is delivered to cadets attending the Cadet Warrant Officer and Cadet Under Officer courses and while this will cover the majority of cadets who will be turning 18 years of age, cadets who do not attend these courses and yet turn 18 years of age will miss this training. 14. This course will be developed into a standalone package so any cadets who are about to turn 18, are not a full time student at a high school and have not attended the CWOFF/CUO course, will be able to complete the self-study course and then an exam held at the cadets unit under the supervision of the unit TRGO. 15. A cadet who turned 18 and did not complete the, because they were a full time student at high school, wishes to remain in the AAFC after thy have left high school, they must complete the prior to finishing High School otherwise they will not be permitted to remain in the AAFC. 16. A copy of the course is contained in Annex B. CO Briefing 17. It is important that a CO meets with all cadets prior to them turning 18. The CO is to discuss the intention of the cadets and to highlight a number of key policies and to discuss some of the changes that they will need to be aware of when they turn 18. 18. The items to be covered are: a. does the cadet plan to continue in the AAFC after then turn 18 years of age; b. is the cadet aware of the requirement to complete the SCAP training and to have the certificate recorded in CadetOne before they turn 18; c. is the cadet aware that they will need to obtain a WWCC clearance for QLD, NSW, VIC, WA and NT and this needs to be in place before they turn 18. If the cadet does not have this in place by the time they turn 18, they are to go on leave until it comes in. The record must be recorded in CadetOne; d. has the cadet completed the CWOFF/CUO course and if not and they are not a full time student at a high school, have they completed the AAFC Transition Program and recorded it in CadetOne? e. has the cadet been given the ADF Cadet Behaviour training for both cadets and staff and is it recorded in CadetOne?
4 f. is the cadet aware that as an adult, they must still follow all AAFC cadet policies and procedures, especially the total ban on alcohol, smoking and drugs? g. does the cadet understand the responsibility of being an adult and that if they are a CWOFF or CUO, they can also be used as an Adult supervisor within the AAFC? h. are they aware that they no longer need to have parental consent once they turn 18 but that they will need to still submit the consent forms but that they can sign for themselves? i. are they aware that the AAFC does not have an obligation to contact their parents and that they have the right to ask the AAFC not to contact them or their NOK unless they give their approval to do so; and j. that as an adult, they will be held liable for their own actions and that they must expect to suffer any consequences. 19. A check list has been developed to assist COs to conduct this briefing and that once completed, the CO and cadet is to sign the sheet and it is to be recorded in CadetOne and a copy kept on file at the unit. The checklist is attached as Annex C.
ANNEX A DATED 01 MAR 11 Access To SCAP 1. Go to http://lms.accyo.org.au/ Select the ADFC SCAP. 2. Select the Create New Account option and fill in the required fields. You will be required to create your own username and password. IMPORTANT: Your user name is to take the format firstname.surname. Should this user name already have been taken, you will be notified. If this is the case, inset 1 following your surname, eg xx. surname1 and continue to increase this number until you have a unique user name. Your password can be a combination of letters and numbers up to 20 characters. You will also need your own e mail address. 3. An e mail will be sent to the e mail address entered, with instructions to assist in completing the registration process. 4. When you receive the e mail, you are required to follow the link contained in the email. 5. Click on the ADFC SCAP. 6. Your enrolment key is 'AAFC2000'. Enter the enrolment key and select 'Enrol me in this course'. Key is case sensitive. 7. You can now proceed with the course. You can enter and exit the course at any time and your progress will be saved automatically. 8. To re enter the course, you are required to return to the ACCYO SCAP website (suggest through a bookmark) and Login to the Safeguarding Children Awareness Package (SCAP), re enter your username and password in the Login. 9. Remember that when entering the username and password that they are case sensitive. Please note that it is important to turn off your pop up blocker in the Tools menu to enable access to the modules. If you do not turn off your pop up blocker you will not be able to view the modules.
AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS HEADQUARTERS ANNEX B DATED 01 MAR 11 Course a. State the legal status of the AAFC, b. Outline the relationship between Service Law and members of the AAFC, c. Describe the relationship between civil law and members of the AAFC, with particular reference to: i. Supervision of AAFC activities and the common law duty of care, ii. iii. iv. Indemnities, Delegation of authority versus responsibility, and Parental Consent d. Outline the rights of AAFC members (cadet and adult) with regard to disciplinary matters with particular reference to: i. Natural justice, ii. iii. iv. Questioning, Duress, Statements, v. Searches and Inspections, and vi. Seizures and Confiscations, and Penalties. e. Outline the sources of rules, and publications governing the AAFC such as: i. AAFC Policy Manual, ii. Cadet Forces Regulations 1977, iii. iv. ADF Cadets OHS Policy and Procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures. f. Explain the legislative requirements to implement a safe and fair work environment within the AAFC, g. Outline the structure within AAFC to comply with OHS requirements
B-2 h. State the role of staff and cadets in implementing AAFC OHS Policy i. Discuss the principles of Safety Risk Management j. List the parties affected by noncompliance of OHS Policy and procedures k. State the procedures and prerequisites for compiling and completing an 'Activity Authorisation - OA86', l. State the implications arising from approved AAFC activities and 'private' activities, with particular reference to accidents and legal liability, m. Outline the basis and application of Commonwealth compensation to members of the AAFC in the event of injury or illness sustained whilst on approved activities.
ANNEX C DATED 01 MAR 11 Cadet s Details AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS HEADQUARTERS COMMANDING OFFICERS BREIFING CHECK LIST ADULT AGE CADETS Number: Rank: Name: Date of Birth: Unit: CO: Date: BRIEFING CHECKLIST Ensure that the following points are covered in your Briefing to the cadet prior to them turning 18 years of age as a minimum: Does the cadet plan to remain in the AAFC as a cadet after they turn 18? Yes / No. Make sure the cadet aware they can apply and become a Staff member as an IOC after they turn 18? Make sure the cadet is aware of the requirement to complete the SCAP training and to have the certificate recorded in CadetOne before they turn 18. Make sure the cadet is aware that they will need to obtain a WWCC clearance for the state they reside in before they turn 18. The record must be recorded in CadetOne. Advise the cadet that if they do not have a current WWCC recorded in CadetOne, they are to go on leave until it comes in. Make sure the cadet is aware of the Transition Program and see if they have completed the CWOFF/CUO course and if not, unless they are a full time student at high school, have they completed the and recorded it in CadetOne? Discuss the requirement for ADF Cadet Behaviour training for both cadets and staff and make sure the cadet has attended this training and that it is recorded in CadetOne. Make sure the cadet aware that as an adult, they must still follow all AAFC cadet policies and procedures and where these policies are contained. especially the total ban on alcohol, smoking and drugs.
C-2 Ensure the cadet has been briefed on the total ban on alcohol consumption, smoking and drugs on any AAFC activity while they are a cadet regardless of their age and they are aware of the consequences if they are caught breaking these policies. Make sure the cadet understand the responsibility of being an adult and that if they are a CWOFF or CUO, they can also be used as an Adult supervisor within the AAFC. Inform the cadet that they no longer need to have parental consent once they turn 18 but that they will need to still submit the consent forms but that they can sign for themselves. Advise the cadet that the AAFC does not have an obligation to contact their parents and that they have the right to ask the AAFC not to contact them or their NOK unless they give their approval to do so but that we do need them to provide a NOK contact. Advise the cadet that as an adult, they will be held liable for their own actions and that they must expect to suffer any consequences. ACTION CHECKLIST SCAP training has been completed and is recorded in CadetOne. WWCC received and recorded in CadetOne. or or CWOFF / CUO course has been completed. They are a full time student at High School. has been completed. ADF Cadet Behaviour training has been completed and is recorded in CadetOne. CONFIRMATION I confirm that I have received this briefing from my Commanding Officer and that I fully understand the points raised and that I agree to comply with all the policies and procedures that relate to cadets as part of my ongoing service in the AAFC. I also confirm that I have had the chance to discuss any concerns or areas of uncertainty with my Commanding Officer and I am happy with the outcomes. Cadets Name: Date: Cadet Signature: Witness Commanding Officer: Signature: This checklist has been entered into CadetOne and a copy placed on file