Volunteer spotlight: Volunteer Support Team
From onboarding new volunteers to improving the volunteering experience, this team keeps things running smoothly, so you can get on with what matters
Who are the Volunteer Support Team?
Kate: We are a team of two groups of Volunteer Support Officers, one based at the National Support Centre, and the other based across our Area Offices. We are often the first point of contact for volunteers, providing guidance and support. We are managed by the Volunteer Support Manager and the department is overseen by the Head of Volunteering.
What are the duties of the Volunteer Support Team?
James: We are here to support and offer guidance to all Sea Cadets volunteers. We do this through our regular communication with volunteers, by responding to queries and providing assistance through phone calls and emails. We also support volunteers by offering the main administrative function for them.
How does the Volunteer Support Team help volunteers and units?
Our national and area-based teams have slightly different responsibilities. These include:
National Volunteer Support (Tracy, Clarissa, Muna, Jack, Jessica):
- Supporting new volunteers to complete the onboarding process
- Receiving, reviewing and processing volunteer application forms, references, disclosure applications, security clearance applications and MOD90 applications
- Administration of the adverse disclosure process.
Area Volunteer Support (Marie, Natalie, Kerry, Sarah, Lee, Michelle, Iona):
- Supporting reinstated volunteers to complete the onboarding process
- Supporting existing volunteers to re-complete their mandatory training requirements
- Receiving, reviewing and processing P2 forms, Cadet Force Medal applications and Volunteer Service Recognition Awards.
What is the focus of the Volunteer Support Team for 2025?
We have been focused on improving the digital experience and streamlining our processes, to make claims easier for volunteers, units and employees. We started this by introducing an interface between Westminster and the finance system. We are slowly adding, developing and improving different apps which, with each step, has made payment claims easier and faster.
Volunteer Support Team: frequently asked questions
1. I am a new volunteer, how can I see where I am in the onboarding process?
Clarissa: As a new volunteer, you can access your personal onboarding tracker via the ‘Onboarding and Renewals’ pathway on the Volunteer Portal: portal.cadets.mod.uk. You will also receive monthly progress emails to show the requirements you have completed and any still outstanding.
2. As a unit or district, how can I see where my new volunteers are within the onboarding process?
Tracy: Units and districts can track the progress of volunteers within the process through running a syllabus progress report on Westminster. Find out how to do this here: sccheadquarters.com/unit-reports. Commanding Officers and Chairpersons are also included in the monthly progress email updates sent to volunteers.
3. How long will my disclosure application take?
Muna: As disclosure applications are sent for external processing, it is difficult to predict how long they may take, with processing times varying from weeks to months. All new volunteers should submit their disclosure application as soon as possible following their interview. All existing volunteers should submit their renewed disclosure application as soon as they receive a reminder email. There are several stages to a disclosure application. These are awarded as qualifications on Westminster, so can be tracked via the Volunteer Portal:
- ID Check Complete – completed at unit or district level: following completion of the mandatory ID check all units must ensure that they award the relevant volunteer with the ‘ID Check Complete’ qualification on Westminster so that we know to review and submit the application on your behalf.
- Disclosure Submitted – completed by Volunteer Support: this is when Volunteer Support review and submit an application for external processing. For those volunteering in Scotland, an application form will be sent directly to the individual at this stage. This should be completed within 14 days, to avoid a new application having to be re-requested.
- Disclosure Complete – completed by Volunteer Support: this is awarded once the Volunteer Support Team has received notification of a clear disclosure.
4. How long will it take to process my P2 application?
Kerry: The average turn around time for a P2 application is 10 working days. This is because the team is required to review it and seek relevant approvals before processing can begin.
5. Westminster shows that I am due at Cadet Force Medal or clasp – how do I receive this?
Marie: Westminster has a Cadet Force Meal application section which estimates when a Cadet Force Medal is due. These dates are often unreliable as it does not take into account breaks in service, role changes or leaves of absence. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please email volunteersupport@ms-sc.org. Applications for Cadet Forces Medals should be submitted using the P4 Form, found here.
In 2024 as a team we processed:
- 3,222 disclosure applications for new and existing volunteers
- 2,258 medal applications for Cadet Force and King’s Coronation Medals
- 1,758 application forms for new volunteers
How to get in touch with the Volunteer Support Team
The National Volunteer Support Team can be contacted for support on Monday to Friday from 9am–5pm. The team can be reached by calling 020 7654 7010 or emailing volunteersupport@ms-sc.org
Any emails sent outside of this time will be responded to as soon as possible.
You can also keep up to date on our dedicated T&A webpage.
Photo: Sea Cadets
More Advice
Careers: How to become an offshore sailor
Former cadet and Yachtmaster of the Year Freddie Jablonski tells us about working on superyachts and how a voyage on TS Royalist sparked his love of sailing
