The Personnel Committee of Kent County Council is scheduled to consider a proposal to introduce a formal special leave entitlement for employees who volunteer as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. The committee is also scheduled to review the council's Employee Probation Policy.

Cadet Force Adult Volunteers Special Leave

A proposal is scheduled for discussion regarding the introduction of a formal special leave entitlement for employees who serve as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. These volunteers support armed forces youth organisations such as the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Combined Cadet Force, and Royal Air Force Air Cadets. The report pack indicates that the proposed entitlement would be up to two weeks (10 working days) of paid special leave per leave year, aligning with the provision currently available to members of the Reserve Forces. This leave would be specifically for participation in cadet-related activities like annual camps, training, leadership development, and community engagement.

The report highlights that Kent County Council is a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme award holder and that introducing this leave would strengthen its case for revalidation of this status. It is noted that the proposal goes beyond statutory duties and recognition requirements of the Armed Forces Covenant. The report also references the Strategic Defence Review 2025 and the Government's '30 by 30' campaign, which aim to increase Active Reserves and Cadets, with employer support through paid leave identified as a key enabler.

Benchmarking across the public sector indicates a growing trend for dedicated special leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, with entitlements typically ranging from 5 to 10 paid days per leave year. Some local authorities, such as Milton Keynes City Council, offer 10 paid days, while West Northamptonshire Council offers 5 paid days. In contrast, local authorities like Medway and Essex currently offer 0 to 2 paid days.

The financial implications of the proposal are estimated to be minimal, with a maximum annual value of approximately £2,900 based on currently known eligible employees. This estimate is based on the 2025 Kent County Council Armed Forces Survey, which identified two respondents as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. The report acknowledges that actual take-up is likely to be lower than the maximum entitlement.

The report also addresses a request to broaden the proposal to include other youth-related volunteer groups, such as those with The Scout Association. However, officers have indicated that extending the entitlement more broadly would significantly increase the scope and require further consideration of eligibility criteria, operational impacts, and financial implications. Employees volunteering with other organisations can continue to access the council's existing volunteering and leave arrangements.

KCC Employee Probation Policy

The committee is also scheduled to review the KCC Employee Probation Policy. This item is listed as exempt, meaning the public is likely to be excluded from this part of the meeting. The report pack indicates that Benjamin Watts, Deputy Chief Executive, is associated with this agenda item.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Darent Room, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, at 2:00 pm on Monday, 14 September 2026.