Member

This is a really important point: for the introduction of the new protection orders, we will work with stakeholders to ensure that commanding officers, service police and front-line personnel will receive refreshed and repeat training, reinforced by clear leadership expectations. We do not want to just pass the legislation and think, “Tick the box, job done”. We understand, exactly as the noble Baroness pointed out, that training is often promised and passed in legislation, yet the reality is that it is not followed through. Our desire is to make sure that that is not the case, so we will keep delivery under review and update training as practice and learning develop. This approach is supported by the Armed Forces charity, the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association, which has emphasised that clear protective measures, backed by confidence and understanding in how they operate, are key to safer reporting and effective safeguarding.