Recruitment
We will use appropriate means to advertise for volunteers locally that take into account the principles of our Equal Opportunities Policies. The applicant will be fully briefed on the role before applying and will be interviewed by at least one of the three Directors. If a reference is required for further support for an application it will be requested and taken up. A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check will be required for every volunteer or person working for Heads Above The Waves in contact with children and young people.
Induction and Training
There will be an induction prepared and delivered by at least one of the Directors. This will include:
- The role of the volunteer and what will be required of them.
- A list of all staff members and volunteers, and the best methods to contact them.
- Copies of all the relevant policies including this Volunteer policy, Confidentiality policy, Health and Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy, Child Protection policy and Self-harm policy.
- Logistics and essential procedures plan i.e. timekeeping, rota, activities for the day etc.
- Induction training and details of ongoing training or potential training opportunities.
- Information about the relevant Code of Practice for the required tasks.
- Other information as appropriate.
There will be a trial period of two weeks to give Heads Above The Waves and the volunteer time to discover if they are suited to each other. A review will be made one week into the trial period and also at the end to determine whether or not to continue working together.
Expenses
We value our volunteers and want to ensure that there are no barriers to volunteer involvement. All out-of-pocket expenses, if required, will be reimbursed, including expenses for travel and meals in accordance with the Expenses Policy. In order to claim expenses, an expenses form must be completed and given to one of the three Directors.
Support
The Directors, the organisations Voluntary Counsellor, Em Jones, and the other volunteers will offer support to the volunteers. There will be a briefing session at the beginning and a de-briefing at the end of each session, in line with the Staff Safeguarding Policy. The Directors and the Voluntary Counsellor will support all volunteers and will have regular meetings with the volunteers to discuss any problems or issues that may arise. The Directors receive support from the Voluntary Counsellor and from each other.
Insurance
Heads Above The Waves has a valid insurance policy which is available upon request.
Confidentiality
Heads Above The Waves’ work requires an explicit confidentiality policy, which all workers, including Directors, volunteers and staff, are obliged to observe which is available upon request.
Resolving Problems
The relationship between the organisation and its volunteer workers is entirely voluntary and does not require a contract. However, it is important that the organisation is able to maintain its agreed standards of service to the clients who use it, and it’s also important that volunteers should feel safe and enjoy making their contribution to Heads Above The Waves.
If your role as a volunteer does not meet the organisation’s standards, here is how it will be dealt with:
- Initially with a meeting with one of the Directors who will discuss the concerns.
- If it does not resolve the concern then a meeting with all Directors will be convened.
- If your work still does not meet with our standards then we shall stop using your services.
- At all times you will be able to freely state your case and can have a friend or representative to accompany you.
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your work you should:
- Initially explain your dissatisfaction with one of the Directors.
- If that does not resolve the concern then a meeting with all Directors should be convened.
- If after this your dissatisfaction remains unresolved, and we are unable to resolve your grievance, then it would be inappropriate for you to continue to volunteer.
At all times you will be freely able to state your case and can have a friend or representative to accompany you.
This volunteer policy is freely accessible to all. It will be reviewed at least annually, in order to adapt or improve it.
