Youth and Cadets

Discover great learning opportunities for young people to develop skills, serve their community through first aid, and have fun along the way.

Youth & Cadets

Discover fun, safe and supportive opportunities for young people to develop skills, serve their community through first aid, and have fun along the way.

Youth and Cadets will develop their skills in communication, teamwork and leadership. Many of our young members have found St John Ambulance NSW youth programs to be a valuable stepping stone for careers in paramedicine, nursing, medicine or other emergency services. There are even badges and awards that can be recognised for achievements.

Earn badges as
you go

Proficiency & Interest Badges
Grand Prior's Badge
Commissioner's Badge
Special Service Shields
Southern Cross Award
Grade Badges

What’s involved?

Enjoy the best of both worlds – serving your community and learning about first aid, while also having fun. Participate in events, competitions, camps and more.

You'll be asked to attend a meeting night once a week during school term for these activities and learning opportunities.

Aged 8 to 11?

Join the Juniors!

Aged 11 to 18?

Come and be a Cadet.

"It's a rewarding experience to be able to help those in need and contribute to the health and safety of my community."

Manaswi, St John Ambulance NSW 2023 Cadet of the Year

"I've always wanted to be a part of something bigger, and to give back to the community, so St John was the perfect fit for me."

Daniel, St John Ambulance NSW 2023 Cadet of the Year

FAQs

Is there an age limit?

The age groups for Juniors is 8 and up to 11 years, and for Cadets it’s from 12 years up to 18 years of age. After the age of 18, Cadets move through to the adult divisions or can continue to support their local Cadet Division.

What can I expect as a cadet or junior member with St John Ambulance NSW?

Lots of fun activities and heaps of learning about first aid care and personal safety. Youth members will also develop their skills in communication, teamwork and leadership. There are events to participate in, and competitions and camps to join with certificates and badges to be attained.

You'll be asked to attend a meeting night once a week during school term to access these activities and learning opportunities.

You can also participate in our Youth Advisory Group, giving you the opportunity to have your say in the development of our youth program.

What happens at events?

You'll have opportunities to attend events, working with our youth members to provide first aid under the supervision of adult volunteers. Some of these events could include sporting events and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

I’m a parent/carer. How can I be more involved?

St John Ambulance NSW encourages parents and carers to take part in our youth program and welcome the feedback that parents, carers and youth members provide. Our youth policies and programs have been developed in consultation with parents and young people and we often have projects we want parent and carer input on.

We also communicate and seek parent and carer input through dedicated newsletters and Q&A forums. If you or your child have any specific feedback that you would like to provide us, you can send an email to youthfeedback@stjohnnsw.com.au or, if you would like to know get more involved, please reach out to your child's local division.

How will St John Ambulance NSW keep youth members safe?

At St John Ambulance NSW, we prioritise the safety of our children and young people, and work to ensure that our youth members feel empowered to participate in, and contribute to, all aspects of our organisation.

St John Ambulance NSW is proud to be an accredited Child Safe Organisation by Child Wise, who is satisfied that we are committed to child safety and provide a safe environment for children across all areas of our organisation.

Our Juniors and Cadets receive Personal Safety Awareness Training as part of their learning, while each adult must have a current criminal record check and Working with Children Check (WWCC), and will undertake mandatory online Annual Child Safety Training.

There are also a variety of resources to support, protect and inform our young people within the St John Ambulance NSW community. For instance, our Child Wellbeing Officers, our Code of Conduct and the Child Safety Policy.
Child Wellbeing Officers (CWOs)
Our Child Wellbeing Officers (CWO) have been trained to support our young members and adults in child safety matters. They are readily available and can help provide advice, direct you to help, and assist you in making a complaint.

If you would like to get into contact with one of our CWO’s you can email ppc@stjohnnsw.com.au or call 02 9745 8787 between 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri

How do I raise a concern?

At St John Ambulance NSW, we strongly encourage young people and their parents to report any incidents or issues that have impacted their safety within the organisation. The following processes identify the ways that you can raise concerns.

If you believe that a child is in immediate danger, we ask that you contact 000 immediately, and notify one of our leaders if the child is in our care.


Complaint submission Process

In person or over the phone

Talk to a trusted adult such as your cadet leader, a leader in your division or your Divisional Superintendent or Child Wellbeing Officer.

In writing

Fill in the Child Friendly Complaint Form.

Access the form

Anonymously

By phone:

    • Call our external whistle-blower provider hotline on 1300 30 45 50

Online:

Make a complaint

We’re a Child Safe Organisation


Protecting and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people is central to our culture and the way we operate. We are proud that St John Ambulance NSW is a Child Wise accredited Organisation.

Child Wise is an internationally recognised accreditation that is led by the Australian Childhood Foundation to assesses how organisations are performing against the national standards of child safety.

St John Ambulance NSW is committed to continuing to provide a safe space for all children and young people, whether they are learning lifesaving skills, volunteering with us or present to us in a medical emergency.

Child safety resources

Child safety policies and procedures

Download

Youth feedback and complaint form

Download

Youth member code of conduct

Download

Responding to bullying (youth)

Download

Social media guidelines (youth)

Download

Making a complaint (youth)

Download

Child safety code of conduct

Download

Still have some questions?

Email the team at: ppc@stjohnnsw.com.au

Find your St John division.

St John volunteers meet with their division regularly to learn and train. You can choose any location to be your division. Each division meets at a different time of the week, so you can choose the division that best fits your schedule.

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