But, the kids are all part of the same organisation, they’re not volunteering in it.
If you apply that logic elsewhere, you’d need to DBS everyone in a care home in case one helped another learn to play shuffleboard.
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Good take. I’d like to think this would be briefed out if it was as significant as some fear: rather than just in an IBN about eligibility for DBS checks.
That is a very good point, it is the same or similar point that the CCF use when their cadets turn 18 and are not DBSed.
This is the peer exemption, which should still apply. However my understanding is that we didn’t meet the criteria for this, which is exactly why over-18 cadets still needed a DBS.
But reading the rules, I can’t really understand why cadets don’t meet that exemption. My guess would be it’s because cadets don’t just work within their Sqn, but instead operate more widely with other Sqns, and even other organisations.
It would imply that because over-18s can’t currently use the peer exemption for what ever reason, that those 16 and 17 also wouldn’t be able to.
But I’m not a lawyer.
Also it could be extended to our 18 year old cadets as they are members and not volunteers. The precedent has been set by the CCF where their 18 year old cadet are not DBSed. I have always found the distinction odd where one air cadet is required to have a DBS and and another is not.
I wonder what does JSP 814 says on the subject of DBS and caets?
To be clear on this, over 18 CCF cadets can get away without a DBS only when operating within their School/Continent. As the peer exemption only applies within that environment.
If attending a Wing/Region/HQ event etc, they should be DBSed if it’s assumed they would partake in any regulated activity, ie teaching/instructing/supervising etc.
This is what led me to believe that the peer exemption can’t apply to ATC cadets.
But that is OUR policy, something the RAFAC has put in place. I am not saying it is right or wrong but have we as an organisation over thought the whole DBS thing for out cadets who are not CFAV and under our new rules cannot act as apart of supervision ratios.
Also under the new rules they can become CFAVs at 18 and are no longer members of the organisation as cadets.
I’m honestly not 100% sure. My understanding was it only applied within a pupil-pupil environment. But there’s very little information about how the peer exemption is applied. HCR law has a great page about it, but it constantly refers to school, DfE, pupils etc. And they don’t make it clear if it also works within a youth group.