At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and lead young people as a Cadet Leader in the West Midlands.
- Company: Join West Midlands Police and make a difference in your community.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training, and the chance to impact young lives.
- Why this job: Be a role model and help shape the future of local youth.
- Qualifications: Good communication skills and a passion for motivating young people.
- Other info: Flexible commitment of 8 hours a month with excellent training provided.
About the Role: Are you looking for a Leadership challenge where you can make a real difference to the young people within the West Midlands? Are you looking to inspire and motivate others? Why not be a role model and an inspiration to our Police Cadets by becoming a Cadet Leader. As a Cadet Leader you volunteer your own time to be part of one of our Cadet units across the West Midlands. Locations include Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Solihull. Cadet units meet one evening a week for 2 hours and the Cadets gain insight into various departments within the force and learn a wide range of skills. They follow a curriculum based around active citizenship, Police Studies, wellbeing & personal development, diversity & inclusion and the world around them, as well as attending community events and taking part in activities.
Qualifications: You do not need to work for West Midlands Police. Our Cadet Leaders are made up of people who are retired, in full- or part-time work, and those that are currently unemployed. We are looking for volunteers from all walks of life who are able to give just a few hours a month to volunteering. You will have valuable skills and experience that will help Cadets prepare for their future careers. You need to show you have:
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- The ability to motivate and engage young people from a range of cultural backgrounds
- Lead, team build and maintain discipline
- Confidence to deliver sessions
You will receive training which covers professional standards, public protection safeguarding and additional information to support you in the role. This training is mandatory.
Hours: Due to the nature of the role you need to be able to commit to the role for a minimum of a year, to volunteer your time primarily on termβtime weekdays once a week during the late afternoon/early evening. There may also be events and development sessions during school holidays and weekends. We are looking for volunteers to commit at least 8 hours per month ideally for a minimum of 12 months. Times and days to be agreed with the department supporting the volunteer.
The application process for Cadet Leaders:
- Application
- Paper Sift
- Interview
If Interview successful - Pre-employment checks - these include: Police vetting, DBS, Medical assessment, personal and employment/academic references covering the last 3 years, training for the role.
Vetting and Medical: Successful applicants will be required to pass police vetting and an enhanced DBS check. You must also be able to provide 2 references for the role. Successful applicants will also be required to complete a medical assessment which may include a drug or hearing test.
Useful information: You may be able to claim travel expenses in line with the Volunteers expenses policy.
Contact: For further information please email cadets@westmidlands.police.uk
POLICE CADETS SAFEGUARDING POLICY: West Midlands Police Cadets Safeguarding Statement. The Volunteer Police Cadet (VPC) scheme is a national programme designed to provide a safe and secure environment where young people can meet with others and learn about policing and policing issues, contribute to community initiatives and take part in police organised activities and events. Allowing young people to have fun is at the heart of the experience too. West Midlands Police is a provider of the VPC scheme through a number of Cadet Units across the force area. Each unit has a leader team comprising of police staff, police officers and adult volunteers, who follow policies, programme and procedures overseen by the Citizens in Policing Team, based at Lloyd House.
Our police cadets and the police staff, police officers and adult volunteers who support our cadet units all come from a wide variety of different backgrounds, so we will all uphold the highest standards in safeguarding and supervising our children, young people and adults at risk. We will ensure that everyone involved in our Volunteer Police Cadet scheme knows what is expected of them, so that we can promote trust and confidence in what we do in our young people and the adult support networks that surround them. We will build and maintain a culture where our young people and vulnerable adults are respected and listened to, know what safeguarding matters are and how they can confidently report any concerns they may have. We will give equal priority to keeping our young people and adults at risk safe from all types of harm and abuse, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, belief, sex or sexual orientation (all defined as protected characteristics within the Equality Act 2010).
We will ensure that all of our VPC staff and leader teams are checked and vetted by us prior to being able to participate in cadet unit work and activities, and will undergo a programme of continuous training for as long as they support the cadet scheme. Our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available for anyone to access and read.
Our Designated Safeguarding Officer for West Midlands Police: Chief Superintendent Richard Harris or Helen Fenton, Citizens in Policing Manager. If you or anyone you know has any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of anyone involved in our VPC scheme, then please contact us at cadets@westmidlands.police.uk or alternatively you can contact: National Safeguarding Manager for Volunteer Police Cadets at: vpc.safeguarding@vpc.police.uk or the NSPCC helpline 0800 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk or the Independent Office for Police Conduct 0300 020 0096 or cadets@policeconduct.gov.uk.
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a 'Disability Confident Interview Scheme' - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job.
'Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities.'
Volunteer- Cadet Leader in Birmingham employer: West Midlands Police
Contact Detail:
West Midlands Police Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Volunteer- Cadet Leader in Birmingham
β¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research West Midlands Police and their values. This will help you connect your experiences with what theyβre looking for in a Cadet Leader. Plus, it shows youβre genuinely interested!
β¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Cadet Leaders on social media or at community events. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you!
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to engage young people. We want to see your passion shine through!
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, youβll find all the info you need about the role and the application process there.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer- Cadet Leader in Birmingham
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives and how you can inspire them!
Be Specific About Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your interpersonal and communication skills. Give examples of how you've motivated or engaged young people in the past. We love seeing real-life experiences that showcase your abilities!
Tailor Your Application: Donβt just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor it to the Cadet Leader role. Mention how your background aligns with our values of diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. It shows us youβre genuinely interested!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, youβll find all the info you need to make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Midlands Police
β¨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand what being a Cadet Leader entails. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and the impact you can have on young people in the West Midlands. This will help you articulate your motivation and how your skills align with the role.
β¨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your interpersonal and communication skills during the interview. Think of specific examples where you've successfully motivated or engaged young people from diverse backgrounds. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire, which is crucial for this position.
β¨Be Prepared for Questions
Anticipate questions related to safeguarding, discipline, and team building. Prepare thoughtful responses that reflect your understanding of these topics. Showing that you are aware of the responsibilities involved will set you apart from other candidates.
β¨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, donβt forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training process, community events, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest and commitment to making a difference as a Cadet Leader.