Volunteering Policy

1.    Introduction

 

NWFA has a remit to involve more people more effectively in volunteering to help solve real problems and enrich our community.

 

We do this by:

 

  • Working with volunteer involving organisations to improve the diversity and quality of volunteer
  • Providing potential volunteers with the means to access volunteering
  • Helping people who might otherwise have found themselves excluded to take part in their

 

NWFA is committed to involving volunteers directly within the organisation to:

 

  • Contribute to the delivery of our services
  • Form our Board of Directors
  • Make sure we are responsive to the needs of our
  • Provide different skills and
  • Offer opportunities for participation by people who might otherwise be

 

This volunteer policy sets out the principles and practice by which we involve volunteers.

 

2.    Principles

NWFA:

 

  • Recognises that voluntary work brings benefits to volunteers themselves, to service users and to paid staff.
  • Will ensure that volunteers are properly integrated into the organisational structure and that mechanisms are in place for them to contribute to NWFA work.
  • Will not introduce volunteers to replace paid
  • Expects that staff at all levels will work positively with volunteers and, where appropriate, will actively seek to involve them in their work.
  • Recognises that volunteers require satisfying work and personal development and will seek to help volunteers meet these needs, as well as providing the training for them to do their work
  • Will endeavour to identify and cover the costs of involving
  • Recognises that the management of volunteers requires designated responsibilities within specific
  • Will endeavour to involve volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities and ensure our volunteering opportunities are as accessible as possible

 

 

3.    Recruitment

 

Recruitment of volunteers will generally be from all sections of the community, and will be in line with NWFA Equal Opportunities Policy. Positive action in recruitment may be used where appropriate.

 

People interested in becoming volunteers with NWFA will be invited for an informal talk with the appropriate contact person.

 

All volunteers will be asked to complete a simple registration form appropriate to the role that they are applying for and, if appropriate, supply two references. Where applicants are not placed in the role applied for, they will be provided with feedback and given the opportunity to discuss alternative volunteering roles both with NWFA and other volunteer involving organisations.

 

Volunteers with NWFA are likely to come into contact with vulnerable people and/or be in a position of trust. They will therefore be asked to provide information about any criminal convictions via a self disclosure form that is completed prior to starting your volunteering. Every volunteer role will undergo a risk assessment by an appropriate officer. For roles which involve sustained and direct contact with young people or vulnerable adults volunteers will also be required to have a full DBS check which will be arranged by NWFA.

 

This information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and will not necessarily prejudice the person being accepted for voluntary work.

 

4.    Induction and Training

 

Volunteers will be given induction and training appropriate to the specific tasks to be undertaken. This may include:

  • The role of the volunteer
  • Details staff members and volunteers
  • Information about Directors and office holders
  • Copies of all the relevant policies including the Volunteering Policy and any policies relevant to
  • Essential
  • Details of ongoing training
  • Information about the relevant Codes of Practice
  • Other information as

 

5.    Personal Development and support

 

All volunteers will have a designated officer to oversee their duties and there will be regular progress meetings with that person. Development meetings give volunteers and their managers an opportunity to review duties, agree personal objectives and learning and development requirements, which will help to achieve those objectives. The timing of meetings will be agreed when volunteers join NWFA.

 

6.    Records

 

Minimum details will be kept on volunteers. This will include the registration form, references, placement details, crisis contact, correspondence and any other relevant information in accordance with NWFA confidentiality policy.

 

 

7.    Expenses

 

NWFA will ensure that there is a clear and accessible system to enable volunteers to claim out of pocket expenses.

 

 

8.    Health and Safety

 

NWFA will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the volunteers’ health, safety and welfare while at work in accordance with its Health and Safety policy.

 

 

9.    Equality

 

NWFA commitment is to promote inclusion and to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital

 

 

status or civil partnership race, nationality, ethnicity (race), religion or belief, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity and to encourage equal opportunities. These are known as ‘protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010.

 

10.  Safeguarding

Part of the philosophy of NWFA is our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and adults at risk. We expect all staff, volunteers, participants, any partner agencies or any commissioned service providers to share this commitment.

 

11.  Issue Resolution

 

The relationship between NWFA and its volunteers is voluntary and there is no contract. Should an issue arise with any part of volunteering the initial point of contact should be the designated officer. If this is not appropriate or fails to resolve any issue then one of the management team, should be notified.

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