So do we go with what published policy says, or what the Q and A says? 
The IBN and policy made pretty clear over 18s wouldn’t be able to lead AT stuff.
So which of these is allowed:
2 staff cadets with CWI running a climbing session on their own?
1 staff cadet with CWI, and an unqualified CFAV?
1 staff cadet and one CFAV both with CWI?
“Assist an instructor”.
So does that mean maybe
I think what this means is cadets with AT equals (which could be 16) can’t be the lead instructor for an activity.
I would assume that they could act as an assistant instructor within their quals.
Okay, so I’m my exames 1 and two are a no, 3 and 4 are a maybe.
Example 3 where both the staff cadet and CFAV have CWI; Can the staff cadet take their own group? Say the normal ratio max is 1:9. 3 lines with a climber, belayer and tailer. With the new rules does this mean that the above scenario would allow 9 cadets or 18? Although the CFAV is the lead, can the staff cadet act independently as per the qualification? Is the CFAV supervising the staff cadet even though they have the same qualification?
This is going to be clear as mud.
That’s going to a SME /NGB question. As all AT is high risk to life it’s going to need wing or region approval so it comes down to how the lead instructor plans & risk assesses the event & how that is then accepted at HQ.
Having a google you can’t have the independent qual til 16 anyway.
Does the new ACP20 wording below imply that to become CFAVs, cadets have to have finished whatever post-16 education they’re doing (e.g. sixth form, an apprenticeship etc), or does it mean something else?
“Cadets and SC will be able to apply to become a CFAV as either a CI, SNCO or officer subject to being 18 years of age and having completed post-16 education.”
They need to have finished their A-Levels / BTEC etc. that they would do at College / Sixth Form.
This is for alignment with CCF.
So you can join as a CADET if you are both 12 and in Year 8
You can join as a CFAV if you are both 18 and have completed Year 13 (I’d anticipate 31 Aug of the year you complete that course)
But, if you do a T level transition year, then move on to a T level, take 3 years to complete your A levels through an FE College, or do a Level 2 followed by Level 3 BTEC at an FE College or sixth form, then I’m making an assumption that it’s staff cadet only for you!!!
And lets not forget that there are several apprenticeship standards which are 48 months in length…
All of which could make them 19 and still continuing post-16 education…
Clumsy wording…
So what do they do between turning 18 and finishing education?
Stay as a staff cadet.
Seems like a silly way to do it for the sake of a few months.
Yeah, there’s many things in new recent policy that seem silly. I sort of get where this is coming from though. But as per normal, it’s badly explained.
I don’t think this requirement has been communicated very clearly. We’ve been speaking to our cadets as if they have a choice of either staff cadet or CFAV when they turn 18.
Honestly, until you pointed it out on here further up, I hadn’t actually clocked that requirement either. And I’ve read the policy a couple of times. Clearly skimmed that bit/not processed it.
How is any of this going to work?
Previously for staff cadets we had OCs sign off to accept them, is that going to stay?
And the education bit makes sense for CCFs but not for the ATC.
I think it makes perfect sense for ATC. It’s the difference between kicking kids out on their 18th birthday vs waiting for them to naturally disappear when they go to uni at the end of the school holidays.
It doesn’t make sense for cadets who want to be CFAVs. They become a staff cadet then have to wait up to 12 months and then have to do a bunch more paperwork.
I assumed it was to prevent staff and cadets being in the same class as students together.
The solution here is to allow cadets to just stay as cadets when they hit 18, if they intend to leave at the end of the school year. No staff cadet buisiness or paperwork. Then the peer exemption can be used. Saves a lot of paperwork and faff for those who want to brevis become CFAV.
That sounds like a sensible and easy to implement idea. It’ll never work.
Only in schools, I think? I don’t think ATC units could take advantage of this?