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Contents

1. Introduction
2. Aims and Principles
3. Volunteer Framework
4. Volunteer Expenses
5. Volunteer Support
6. Insurance Cover

1. Introduction

Children's Centres have identified the need to provide opportunities for local people to become actively involved within their centres in a voluntary capacity. The Children's Centres aim to raise the profile and value of volunteering in the community and will help to support work opportunities, training, community involvement and the empowerment of individuals. Volunteers will be asked to give a clear indication of the time and commitment they are able to give to volunteering. In return volunteers will be given a clear framework in which to volunteer, by receiving appropriate support from paid members of staff.

2. Aims and Principles

• Children's Centres will not introduce volunteers to replace paid workers.
• Children's Centres expect that paid workers at all levels will encourage volunteering by actively seeking volunteer involvement where appropriate.
• Children's Centres recognize that volunteers require satisfying roles to enhance their personal development. Volunteers will be encouraged to access appropriate learning and training opportunities.
• Children's Centres will ensure that volunteers are properly supported in their volunteering role.

3. Volunteer Framework

The following framework sets out the practical aspects of volunteer involvement with the Children's Centres.

3.1 Volunteer Recruitment

3.1.1 Eligibility

Although Children's Centre services are only available to families with children under 5, the centres would like to encourage people of all ages (minimum of 18 years) and from the wider community to become Children's Centre volunteers.

3.1.2 Application Process

All volunteers will be required to complete the application form. Prospective volunteers will be asked for two character references and, in the interests of Safeguarding and enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check on all prospective volunteers will be mandatory. However, in the interests of equal opportunities all applications will be considered on an individual basis. After the application form has been completed an appointment will be arranged by the centre manager to meet the prospective volunteer for an informal interview to determine how best the volunteers interests might be satisfied by discussing their skills, experience and suitability. No volunteer will be left unsupervised until CRB checks have been received.

3.2 Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteers will be able to access volunteering opportunities appropriate to their skills and interests and have appropriate support to enable them to do this. Centres will hold written copies of core role profiles for each are of volunteering.

3.3 Volunteer Training

Centres will seek volunteer involvement to ensure the following, that:

• Services and facilities reflect the needs of the local people.
• The Centre has enriched, continual and increasing contact with the community it serves.
• The Centre help with the empowerment of individuals and the provision of new skills within the local community.

3.4 Volunteer Induction

Volunteers will undergo an induction programme within the local centre.

This will include:

• An introduction to Volunteering and the Children's Centre
• An introduction to the centre and staff
• An awareness of the policy framework

3.5 Core Volunteer Training Course

Volunteers will be able to access a core training programme to include the following:

• The role of the volunteer
• Values and Attitudes
• Confidentiality
• Safeguarding
• Health and Personal Safety
• Volunteer Opportunities and Future Plans

The course may be delivered by the local centre or in partnership with Home Start to meet the needs of volunteers.

3.6 Specialist Training

There may be a need for some specialist training within volunteering opportunities, in these instances, specialist training will be given by the staff member responsible for that particular service.

4. Volunteer Expenses

4.1Travel Expenses

All volunteers will have any out of pocket expenses reimbursed at the current approved rates. Details of these rates and necessary proofs of payment will be available at each Centre and from the members of paid staff who are supporting volunteers. A claim form will need to be signed as approved by the paid worker supporting the volunteer and then payment will be made by a member of the team on production of the signed form.

4.2 Childcare Needs

Centres will endeavour to support volunteering by the provision of childcare where possible. This will be subject to budget limitations and availability. Priority will be give to centre parents living in workless households in order to meet targets.

5. Volunteer Support

5.1 Support from paid staff

A paid member of staff within the centres will support each volunteer. The named paid staff member will have responsibility to ensure that suitable ongoing support for the volunteer is provided and that expenses area authorized. In addition, supervision meetings will take place with the volunteer and the centre manager or a member of staff at least quarterly. This will allow further training needs to be identified and for any issues arising from volunteering to be discussed and then dealt with appropriately.

5.2 Paid Worker's' Responsibilities

Paid workers who are responsible for supporting volunteers will:

• Support, encourage and advise the volunteer.
• Authorise expense claims on the appropriate form. It will be the volunteer's responsibility to ensure that they receive payment.
• Help the volunteer to access further training where necessary and appropriate.
• Any complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the Centre Complaints Procedure.
• Keep written records for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• Volunteers will undergo a three months' probationary period to demonstrate their suitability. However, a volunteer arrangement can be terminated at any time should the volunteer be found to be unsuitable for whatever reason. Under these circumstances no appeals process will be permitted, and the centre manager's decision will be final.
• When a volunteer leaves, they will receive an exit interview so that feedback may be given to the centre on the volunteer experience. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the volunteers future plans and where appropriate for the centre to offer advice and support on progression.

6. Insurance Cover

All volunteers will be covered by Public Liability Insurance whilst working in any of the centres.

Common Practices

In addition to the terms set out in this policy, all volunteers will be expected to adhere to Centres policies on the following;

• Equal Opportunities
• Health and Safety
• Confidentiality
• Safeguarding
• Complaints Procedure

Copies of all the policies used are available from the centre on request.

Policy Review

The Wakefield District Children's Centre Volunteer Policy will be reviewed at least annually that it is appropriate to the needs of the volunteer programme.

End