Volunteer police cadet leaders

Cadet leaders are positive role models for the police cadets and create a safe environment for them to learn and develop.

The role is varied and rewarding. You can make a real difference to young people and the community.

Our leaders support our cadets to:

• learn about policing
• give back to their local community
• volunteer alongside police officers and PCSOs at public events

They also:

• run classroom activities
• host guest speakers
• take part in social action projects or supporting officers with local policing operations

To be eligible to become a cadet leader, you must:

• be over the age of 18
• not have been an Avon and Somerset police cadet in the last six months
• have a three-year checkable history in the UK
• provide details of all education and employment or voluntary roles you have ever held, including any gaps for study or unemployment

We are looking for cadet leaders who have:

• a respect for race and diversity
• good listening and communication skills
• confidence, commitment, flexibility and enthusiasm
• ability to motivate others
• good leadership skills
• a basic awareness of safeguarding

Previous experience of working with young people would be an advantage but is not essential. You will get training to support you and to develop your own knowledge and skillset.

Cadets is a term-time programme, with some extra activities at weekends and in school holidays.

Units meet on the following evenings:

• Bristol – Wednesday
• Patchway – Tuesday
• Weston-super-Mare – Thursday

Leaders usually attend term-time sessions from 18:30 to around 21:15 (cadets attend from 19:00 to 21:00).

Weekend and holiday activities

We also ask leaders to help with some weekend and holiday activities. Not every leader is needed for every event, and we try to share these opportunities fairly, with leaders volunteering around their own availability.

These extra activities do rely on leader support to go ahead.

You will be provided with:

• training which includes safeguarding and first aid
• a full uniform (you need to provide your own footwear)
• support from a dedicated team at Police HQ
• access to force welfare and wellbeing services
• reimbursement of expenses incurred as a cadet leader, such as mileage

If you are interested in becoming a cadet leader, you can:

• attend an information evening during the year – these are a good opportunity to find out more, meet the team and see the cadets in action
• complete our online form, after which a member of the team will contact you for an informal chat

Interviews

Candidates who meet the shortlisting requirements are invited along to an interview and asked to deliver a short activity to a group of cadets.

This activity can be anything you choose and needs to last no more than 15 minutes. Previous candidates have played Uno, taught knitting and even built towers from spaghetti and marshmallows.

Successful applicants

If successful at the interview and activity, you are then progressed through our pre-appointment checks.  These checks include police vetting, an enhanced DBS check and references.

We aim to ensure all cadets are kept safe from harm by:

• training all of our cadet leaders in safeguarding before they join the programme
• providing all our leaders with regular refresher safeguarding information and training
• making sure all activities are carried out safely
• having a clear and accessible system for anyone to report safeguarding concerns
• giving parents, guardians and carers information about what we do and what they can expect from us

For more information, read our safeguarding statement (PDF).