Volunteers have an important role to play in a range of community and organisational activity. They bring a range of skills, knowledge and experience and are from all walks of life, various ages and diverse backgrounds.
Although volunteers do not have the same protections as paid employees, the Equality Act 2010 offers a framework to ensure all people are protected and offered equal opportunities. People from a broad range of backgrounds bring fresh perspectives and increased mutual understanding as they work towards a common goal.
Before recruiting volunteers, organisations will need to be clear about what volunteers are required to do. What skills are needed to fulfil your aims and objectives? Does your organisation have stringent policies to manage volunteers including safeguarding measures, not only for them but also the people they will be working with? Are you able to determine if potential volunteers are at risk themselves and do you have policies in place to overcome such challenges? Once your committees are confident you have the capabilities and capacity to bring volunteers into the organisation or group, what happens next?
Safeguarding volunteers and beneficiaries is essential, to do this, it is imperative to take up references before any voluntary work is undertaken. PVG’s should be obtained at the earliest opportunity. In emergency situations, personal standing in the community, or taking account of PVG’s obtained for work contexts are acceptable but risk assessments and mitigation plans should be logged.
Supervision of volunteers should be ongoing, this should include checking roles and responsibilities are clearly understood.
Although volunteers do not have the same protections as paid employees, the Equality Act 2010 offers a framework to ensure all people are protected and offered equal opportunities. People from a broad range of backgrounds bring fresh perspectives and increased mutual understanding as they work towards a common goal.
Before recruiting volunteers, organisations will need to be clear about what volunteers are required to do. What skills are needed to fulfil your aims and objectives? Does your organisation have stringent policies to manage volunteers including safeguarding measures, not only for them but also the people they will be working with? Are you able to determine if potential volunteers are at risk themselves and do you have policies in place to overcome such challenges? Once your committees are confident you have the capabilities and capacity to bring volunteers into the organisation or group, what happens next?
Safeguarding volunteers and beneficiaries is essential, to do this, it is imperative to take up references before any voluntary work is undertaken. PVG’s should be obtained at the earliest opportunity. In emergency situations, personal standing in the community, or taking account of PVG’s obtained for work contexts are acceptable but risk assessments and mitigation plans should be logged.
Supervision of volunteers should be ongoing, this should include checking roles and responsibilities are clearly understood.
Key points
- Volunteers play an important role in responding to community needs
- They come from a diverse range of backgrounds
- They are key stakeholders in organisations
- They need to be managed and protected
Links for more information
Volunteers and your organisation
A page about why and how to involve volunteers in your organisation, the value of their contribution and how to incorporate their involvement as key stakeholders.
https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/your-team/volunteers-and-your-organisation
Equality and Diversity
An overview of the protections offered in the Equality Act 2010 and how they might be instrumental in the recruitment of volunteers.
https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/your-team/volunteers/recruiting/equality-and-diversity
Involving volunteers
A short course offered by the Open University on aspects of volunteering in your organisation, the contributions made by volunteers, how to develop ways of getting to know your volunteers, and practical examples of how to support them.
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=3521
Community Support Programme
Support for communities and groups that have set up projects to respond to COVID-19 outbreak.
http://www.northhighlandinitiative.co.uk/community-support
Volunteers and your organisation
A page about why and how to involve volunteers in your organisation, the value of their contribution and how to incorporate their involvement as key stakeholders.
https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/your-team/volunteers-and-your-organisation
Equality and Diversity
An overview of the protections offered in the Equality Act 2010 and how they might be instrumental in the recruitment of volunteers.
https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/your-team/volunteers/recruiting/equality-and-diversity
Involving volunteers
A short course offered by the Open University on aspects of volunteering in your organisation, the contributions made by volunteers, how to develop ways of getting to know your volunteers, and practical examples of how to support them.
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=3521
Community Support Programme
Support for communities and groups that have set up projects to respond to COVID-19 outbreak.
http://www.northhighlandinitiative.co.uk/community-support
