Cadet Supervision
Only properly appointed (and therefore vetted) adult instructors are allowed to have unsupervised access to cadets. Training is carried out in mixed groups of boys and girls, the instructor will be the most suitable regardless of gender. However, in the interests of all concerned, an adult of the opposite gender has to be available in the vicinity to oversee welfare issues. They need not be uniformed but will be approved by the CO or OIC. Staff are instructed not to allow themselves to be placed in a position where they are alone in private with individual cadets of any gender.
Divisions
When cadets finish basic training they are allocated to a Division (Port or Starboard). Each Division also has members of staff allocated to it. They are encouraged to take an interest in the welfare of the cadets in their division. Divisional staff are similar to form tutors at school. However, most training is carried out in groups made up from different Divisions, so cadets often build up good relationships with their specialist instructors who may not be from their own Division.
Safety and Security of Sea Cadets
There are many activities and courses that take place outside our normal parade times. These can happen on extra nights or at weekends and sometimes involve going away for weekends or longer. These activities include sailing, canoeing, wind surfing, pulling (rowing), power boating, Expedition Training (hill walking), competitions and extra training sessions.
Junior Sea Cadets
We always ask for written consent for any activities outside normal parade times. You will always receive written details of these activities. This is regardless of whether the activity involves an overnight stay or not.
Cadets
Day Activities. For day activities we normally brief the cadets verbally, we do not ask for written permission for these activities. If you would rather we ask for your written permission please inform the Commanding Officer or Officer in Charge.
Overnight Activities. When a cadet goes to an overnight event, you will always get written details of the activities involved, location and contact details. We always ask for your consent for cadets to stay overnight, this is on a parents consent form called a T1. Cadets are not allowed to stay overnight if they do no have a properly signed T1.
Important. When cadets go on National training courses they may have to travel by train without an accompanying adult. You will be told if this is the case at the time that the course booking is made. Young Cadets normally travel in groups of three but older cadets may travel on their own.
Safety
The Unit has specialist equipment such as boats, canoes, windsurfers and protective clothing. It is regularly maintained and externally inspected to make sure that it’s in a safe condition.
The Sea Cadets has strict rules on the qualifications held by instructors. Where possible external bodies define the standards of instruction and check the quality of instructors the standards set by the following bodies are followed by the Sea Cadets:
ôRoyal Yachting Association (RYA)
ôBritish Canoe Union (BCU)
ôDuke ofEdinburgh’s Award Scheme (D of E)
ôExpedition Training (ET)
Where there is no suitable external organisation the Sea Cadets sets rigid rules for instructors to follow. Sea Cadets authorities from outside the unit check that we are following these rules properly. MOD appointed Health and Safety advisors also assist with risk assessments for any MOD approved training.
As most of our activities are on the water we prefer cadets to have basic swimming ability. However cadets wear Buoyancy Aids and non-swimmers must wear full lifejackets.
Picking up Cadets on parade nights
Unit staff are under orders not to leave the unit until all cadets have been collected or have started their journey home (when parents and guardians are happy for them to travel alone). When coming back to the unit from training events cadets are encouraged to phone ahead with estimated return time. Please bear in mind that staff can’t leave until all cadets have been collected. Sometimes travel plans or departure times can be disrupted, when this happens cadets are instructed to keep parents or guardians informed of changed timings. Details of estimated return times can be obtained by calling 01243 842781. We also acknowledge that sometimes for unforeseen circumstances parents or guardians may be late to collect their young people from the unit, we would request that if you are running late that you inform a member of staff by ringing 01243 842781. When collecting cadets, could parents please consider our neighbours and watch out for cadets running out of the unit.
Commitment
A cadet has to make the following commitments:
ôMake the Sea Cadet promise to show they will stick to the sea cadet values
ôAttend the unit regularly on the unit parade night.
ôMake every effort to join in other opportunities when they come up.
ôAttend the four annual compulsory parades;
ôPre Royal Naval Inspection (Normalparade night)
ôRoyal Naval Inspection (Normalparade night)
ôRemembrance Sunday (Nearest Sunday to the 11th November)
ôTrafalgar Day (Nearest Sunday to the 21ST October)
ôWear the correct uniform as set down in standing orders.
ôKeep up to date with monthly donations.
ôReturn all uniform and equipment on leaving the unit. Note, parents and guardians are asked to sign for loaned uniforms.
Sea Cadet Policies
Health & Safety
The unit has a Health & Safety policy that is reviewed annually. Copies are available from the unit.
Insurance
Sea Cadet personnel are fully covered for personal injury and public liability during Sea Cadet training; this cover is made up of a combination of MOD Liability and commercial insurance cover. Personal property and effects are not included in this cover and it is suggested that parents ensure cover in its place through normal household policies. Cadets should not bring high value items to Sea Cadet training events.
Regulations
The Sea Cadets has laid down regulations and guidelines to direct the running of the Sea Cadets and protect its members. Key documents are:
ôSea Cadet Regulations SCR Rules by which the Sea Cadets is governed.
ôTraining Afloat Regulations TARS Regulations for safety of Sea Cadets’ boats and associated safety equipment Training Instructions (TI). Detailed instructions for all training is in the Sea Cadet Code of Conduct - A thorough guide to the standards of behaviour that must be met by all Sea Cadet adults.
ôGuidance to Commanding Officers on maintaining discipline among Cadets.
ôWhite Guide. A thorough guide to the treatment and discipline cadets, this guide conforms to the 2000 Child Protection Act.
ôUnit Standing Orders (USO). Orders issued locally by the Commanding Officer (CO) or Officer in Charge (OIC) to cover issues specific to each unit.
ôUnit Health and Safety Policy (H&S Policy). Health and Safety policy drafted by the CO or OIC. Parents and guardians are entitled to see these documents at any time; they are available at the unit or at can be viewed online at www.sccheadquarters.com (SCC wide documents).
Discipline
The following is an extract from the White Guide to discipline:
The Sea Cadets is a youth organisation based on the sound traditions and values of the Royal Navy. Discipline forms an important part of that tradition and our training in the Sea Cadets should include an element of fair discipline, for safety reasons as well as for social development of the young people in our care. Many youngsters need nothing more than kindly advice and a quiet word to steer them in the right direction. However, it is important to set reasonable boundaries of acceptable behaviour, and ensure that Cadets remain within them. It is always an option to dismiss from the Sea Cadets any Cadet who transgresses, but this course of action should normally be regarded as a failure of our system rather than a handy solution.
It is hoped that, in all but extreme cases, employment of a lesser penalty and the appropriate level of firmness, will put a wayward Cadet back on the right path and keep him / her in the Sea Cadets. Normally staff that see misbehaviour deal with it there and then. If the problem is serious it will be referred to the 1st Lt or CO. Only they can allocate penalties for misbehaviour. A written record of all these referrals and the outcome is kept.
If a particular cadet’s behaviour causes constant problems parents will be involved. Examples of penalties that can be allocated are; caution, extra duties, loss of privileges, loss of Good Conduct Badges, dis-rating, suspension and dismissal. Awarding physical or cruel penalties is completely forbidden.