Youth Policy Manual : YOUTHPOLMAN

The participation of young people in Australian society is fundamental to our future as a nation. Working for and with young people is crucial to the nation’s economic and social wellbeing.

Defence is uniquely positioned to support whole-of-Government youth policy. We have strong community ties brought about through our national presence, high community profile, custodianship of Australian history and culture, and commitment to the values and principles that have shaped our nation. It is in Defence’s interests to engage proactively with youth, to enable us to attract the right people, with the right skills, behaviours and attitudes to secure Australia and its interests into the future, and to contribute to an Australian society that is interested in and informed about Defence.

Engagement with youth brings important responsibilities, including the obligation to ensure that youth safety and wellbeing is paramount. It is also incumbent on Defence to ensure that Defence youth activities are delivered in a coordinated, coherent and well governed manner to maximise outcomes for both participants and Defence, and to ensure the effective use of resources; that the Australian Government’s important commitments to Human Rights in the delivery of youth activities are maintained; that Defence youth activities are inclusive, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability; and, that Defence youth activities align with good practice youth development principles.

Defence is therefore committed to providing a range of safe, challenging, high quality and contemporary youth engagement and development activities in metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.

This Youth Policy Manual (YOUTHPOLMAN) provides the policy and procedures that govern and inform Defence’s engagement with youth —including the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADF Cadets). YOUTHPOLMAN assembles prime source policy and governance guidance in a single reference point on youth policy, ADF Cadets and the conduct of Defence youth engagement and development programs for all Defence personnel, ADF Cadets members, Defence Approved Helpers and volunteers.

Glossary : YOUTHPOLMAN

Part 1 contains whole of Defence Policy and are enabled through a series of Guides on the policy resources page.

Part 1 is currently under review to align with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and will be updated shortly.

The Youth Policy Manual

Commitment Statement

Governance

Risk Management

Incident Management

Working with Children Checks

Relationships between adults in Defence and Young people under the age of 18

Disclosure of Personal Information of Young People under the age of 18

Alcohol, Tobacco and Prohibited Substances

Diversity and Inclusion

Use of Social Media

Defence Work Experience Program Governance

ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards Program Governance 

Part 2 contains ADF Cadets specific governance and administrative policy and will undergo a review during 2020 to align with the Part 1.

ADF Cadets Enterprise Governance

ADF Cadets Youth Safety

ADF Cadets Adult Membership Management

Youth Membership to the ADF Cadets

ADF Cadets Adult Behaviour

ADF Cadets Youth Behaviour

ADF Cadets Work Health and Safety

ADF Cadets Member Health Management

ADF Cadets Enterprise Security

ADF Cadets Military-Like Activities

ADF Cadets Booking of training areas and other locations

ADF Cadets Activities at SAFEBASE

ADF Cadets Defence Weapons

ADF Cadets Firearms

ADF Cadets Use of Defence Road Transport Assets

ADF Cadets Protection Orders

ADF Cadets Rehabilitation and Compensation Policy

ADF Cadets Complaint Resolution Policy

ADF Cadets ICT Policy