Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) training and (b) qualifications welfare staff at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate have in identifying signs of sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement.

On arrival at Army Foundation College (AFC), Harrogate all Permanent Staff complete the North Yorkshire Children's Board Level 1 Safeguarding training and also receive Level 2 training, delivered by the North Yorkshire Local Authority as part of their induction course. The unit Welfare Officer is also a member of the Harrogate and Craven Children's Safeguarding Strategy Group. In addition, all Chaplains receive annual Chaplaincy safeguarding training by the Army Recruiting and Training Division and all medical staff are required to complete Level 3 Safeguarding training.

The Defence Community Police Officer at AFC delivers a Child Sexual Exploitation brief to all new intakes within the first six weeks of training with a further brief at the end of the term. A brief is also delivered about the risks of social media.