Winner of the of the Outstanding Commitment to Safeguarding Award 2025
“It was a privilege to receive SACPA’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Safeguarding Award’ at the Annual Safeguarding Conference in November. The award recognises our dedicated work embedding national youth safeguarding standards across every region that runs a police cadet programme. Safeguarding, protecting and promoting young people is what drives us all, whatever our background, pathway or organisation.” Tim Mann MBE
The Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) are the national uniformed youth group of British policing. Open to young people, aged 13–18, regardless of background or life experience, the VPC provides opportunities to volunteer locally, learn about policing, and make a difference in communities. With over 10,000 cadets nationwide, we champion inclusivity, youth voice, and social action, while also supporting pathways into policing and public service.
The Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) introduced a comprehensive national safeguarding programme to address oversight, vetting, and consistency across forces. The programme which establishes a unified safeguarding framework with “Safe to Operate Standards” and a National Safeguarding and Standards Hub to ensure accountability and communication, has created a more transparent safeguarding culture across all cadet units, improving trust and confidence among young people, parents, and staff.
Their robust guidance and policies have ensured clear pathways for reporting concerns and a “one-stop” VPC Safeguarding Case Management system for all.
Interested in entering the SACPA Safeguarding Awards next year? Categories will open for entries in August 2026.
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