Developing a Volunteer Policy
Volunteering should be flexible however it is important to have procedures in place to cope with situations which may occur when working with volunteers. Below are guidelines of what should be included in a volunteer policy ( although there is no specific blueprint), please contact the Volunteer Centre for more information and support.
1. Statement/Introduction to organisation. Giving a description of your organisation to volunteers helps them to understand why they are giving up their time. This section should also include your principles e.g. not using volunteers to replace paid staff.
2. Recruitment process, this could include application form, interview and if CRB checks and references are needed. And maybe how to deal with people you don't think are suitable. You can also include volunteer task descriptions, although these may change its good to keep a guideline.
3. Induction and Training, consider how induction will take place and by who. You also need to think about training. Some organisations will have very formal training and others informal, it depends on what you are asking your volunteers to do.
4. Expenses, reasonable expenses should be reimbursed such as traveling to and from volunteering.
5. Supervision and Support, most volunteers should have regular supervisions and know who they should contact for support.
6. Insurance, volunteers can be insured under your public or employee liability cover. Write this down so you know, and the volunteers know that they are covered.
7. Equal Opportunities, Include volunteers in your equal opportunities policy.
8. Health and Safety, Make your volunteers aware of your health and safety policy.
9. Grievance/disciplinary procedures, having a strategy for dealing with this means you will be able to deal with issues that arise with volunteers.
10. Confidentiality, make volunteers aware of your confidentiality policy.
Volunteering should be flexible however it is important to have procedures in place to cope with situations which may occur when working with volunteers. Below are guidelines of what should be included in a volunteer policy ( although there is no specific blueprint), please contact the Volunteer Centre for more information and support.
1. Statement/Introduction to organisation. Giving a description of your organisation to volunteers helps them to understand why they are giving up their time. This section should also include your principles e.g. not using volunteers to replace paid staff.
2. Recruitment process, this could include application form, interview and if CRB checks and references are needed. And maybe how to deal with people you don't think are suitable. You can also include volunteer task descriptions, although these may change its good to keep a guideline.
3. Induction and Training, consider how induction will take place and by who. You also need to think about training. Some organisations will have very formal training and others informal, it depends on what you are asking your volunteers to do.
4. Expenses, reasonable expenses should be reimbursed such as traveling to and from volunteering.
5. Supervision and Support, most volunteers should have regular supervisions and know who they should contact for support.
6. Insurance, volunteers can be insured under your public or employee liability cover. Write this down so you know, and the volunteers know that they are covered.
7. Equal Opportunities, Include volunteers in your equal opportunities policy.
8. Health and Safety, Make your volunteers aware of your health and safety policy.
9. Grievance/disciplinary procedures, having a strategy for dealing with this means you will be able to deal with issues that arise with volunteers.
10. Confidentiality, make volunteers aware of your confidentiality policy.