Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ACP 4
CHILD PROTECTION
POLICY AND GUIDELINES
(June 2009)
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword Foreword (by Comdt ACO), Definitions and Responsibilities
• Introduction i
• Statement of intent i
• Unsuitability i
• Definitions ii
• Responsibilities and supporting mechanisms for cadets Iii
FOREWORD
Introduction
1. ACP 4 outlines the policy and guidance to safeguard cadets from all forms of abuse and to
help build a safer environment for both cadets and adult members of the ACO.
2. No document, however comprehensive, can cover all situations in which an ACO adult
member of staff may be required to take action to prevent or respond to child abuse but those who
follow the principles and guidelines laid down in this publication can be more confidence that they
are properly discharging the most important aspect of our duty of care towards cadets. Knowledge
of this publication alone will give members the information they need to properly discharge their
child protection responsibilities in accordance with current UK legislation. All adult members of the
ACO have a part to play in the implementation of its child protection policy and need to be familiar
with this publication. Commanding Officers are to ensure that all members of their instructional
staff read this publication.
3. Although this publication is directed at members of the ACO it may, and should, be used to
show anybody who might be interested how the organisation discharges its responsibilities towards
cadets.
Statement of intent
4. The ACO will safeguard its children and young people by:
Unsuitability
(original signed)
I R W STEWART
Air Cdre
Commandant Air Cadet Organisation
i
HQ Air Cadets Child Protection Officer Revision 1.00
Uncontrolled copy when printed which is not subject to amendment
ACP 4
Definitions
a. Children and young people. Throughout this document references are made to
“children and young people”. These terms are interchangeable and refer to children who
have not yet reached their 18th birthday in accordance with the UN Convention on the
Rights of a Child (which was ratified by the UK on 16 Dec 91), even though Scottish law1
defines a child as a person under 16 years of age in certain circumstances.
b. Adult. “Adult” refers to any adult volunteer member of the ACO and full time
permanent members of staff who have regular unsupervised access to cadets. The
phrases “adult members of staff” and “adult members of the ACO” also includes cadets who
are over the age of 18.
c. Parent(s), guardian(s), carer(s). These terms include any person who has a
parental responsibility under Sections 2 and 3 of the Children Act 1989 (England and
Wales), Sections 1-6 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and Sections 5-7 of The Children
(Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
1
Children (Scotland) Act 1995 Section 1(2)
2
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006. HM Government (WT 2006)
ii
HQ Air Cadets Child Protection Officer Revision 1.00