Protection of Young People

The ANC has a stringent screening process to ensure that the right people are chosen to work or volunteer with our cadets.  All adult ANC staff and helpers undergo relevant clearances prior to engaging with youth, and are maintained for currency throughout their engagement.

Prospective ANC staff must have their relevant and current state Working With Children’s Check (WWCC) (In ACT & TAS Working with Vulnerable Persons Check). On receipt of those checks, ANC HR staff are active in ensuring those checks are valid, and that the correct ANC HR contact details are linked to the individual checks as a notifiable party. This provides a level of assurance to youth protection through ensuring the ANC HR team are notified of any suspension or cancellations during the validation period.

All ANC staff are required to have a valid WWCC/VP at all times, or they are unable to engage in the cadet program. 

The Defence Youth HQ website provides further links for each state and territory requirements.

Defence requires all personnel to undergo various level security screening prior to employment or voluntary engagement with any Defence program.  

As ANC staff are in a role involving care instruction or supervision of children, all staff are required to undergo a Code 37 National Police Check every 5 years. This provides an added layer of assurance to safeguarding the program.

All Australian Defence Cadet programs fall within legislative mandatory reporting requirements for each state and territory.  

ANC comply with each State and Territory requirements accordingly. All child concern reports are made under relevant privacy and confidentiality legislations. ANC liaise with Community and Government Organisations to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, and assurance to protecting youth.  

Reporting child abuse and neglect | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au) 

“Within the framework of a just and fair culture, youth and adult personnel should feel comfortable, and should be encouraged to openly and honestly report youth safety concerns, hazards, risks, events and incidents at the lowest level through open reporting mechanisms. Notwithstanding, confidential reporting via the Youth Safe Confidential Complaint and Event Report/Notification (ConCERN) should also be promoted and encouraged.” 
(YOUTHPOLMAN Part 1, Section 2.1.5.d) 

ANC follows this policy by providing several platforms for staff, youth and their family and community members to make reports; 

1. Through ANC staff who can assist with completing and sending an IR to the relevant inbox 
2. Cadets have access and can email direct to ANCHQ 
3. Online ‘report incident’ link on this site open to public 
4. Youth can make ConCERN reports direct to Defence Youth HQ Contact Us