Guidelines & Expectations for Volunteers

VOLUNTEER CENTRE SUTTON GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS

 When new volunteers first come to the Centre, we try to give them as much information as possible to help them make the right decision.  These are our commitments to you as a volunteer.

1. Responsibility of the Centre As a volunteer, you will be:

a) offered a one-to-one interview with a Volunteers Placements Interviewer;

b) offered a convenient time and day for an interview;

c) treated with respect at all times, both on the telephone and in person;

d) dealt with promptly, efficiently and effectively (social workers, keyworkers, friends or family are encouraged to attend initial interviews with prospective volunteers who feel they need this added support);

e) asked to complete a registration and monitoring form, and to sign a declaration giving the Centre permission to pass on your details to organisations of your choice (all information is held in strictest confidence);

f) informed of as many relevant options as possible at your interview (in some cases, leaflets are available with information on voluntary organisations);

g) offered various alternative voluntary organisations to visit to help you make    an informed decision;

h) shown our equal opportunities statement;

i) informed of our expectation of you and the commitment involved.

2. Responsibility of the Voluntary Organisation As a volunteer you may be:

a) asked to provide references, Criminal Records Bureau check or to disclose any criminal convictions as appropriate.

b) paid any expenses due to you;

c) given a full task description of the work you are covering, written or verbal;

d) offered appropriate insurance cover by the voluntary organisation;

e) able to receive any relevant training;

f) given protective clothing if applicable;

g) able to change or develop in the role so your full potential is realised. You should be shown appreciation as a valued member of the organisation.

3. On-going Support Once a suitable placement has been established, you will be: 

a) contacted by the Centre section two months and then six months after placement, to follow up the placement suitability/satisfaction;

b) doing voluntary work that is your choice;

c) given any help or advice you require from the Volunteers Placements Team;

d) informed as to who to see and where to go, should you have a complaint or problem.

4. Special Notes 

v     Should you choose to work with children/vulnerable people, it may be necessary for the voluntary organisation concerned to arrange a Criminal Records Bureau check.  This could take several weeks to process and you may not be able to commence your voluntary work before the check is completed.  However, we can offer alternative work for you in the interim. 

v     Should you choose to work as a volunteer within the Prison Service or Police, checks will also be made.  There are also separate “Guidelines for Prison Volunteers” for you to adhere to, details of which will be provided by the prison or by the police.

Volunteer Centre Sutton: 

ACCEPTS that in society certain groups or individuals are denied equal opportunities because of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, gender, sexuality, social class, age, religion, caring responsibility or marital status. 

IS COMMITTED to taking positive steps to ensure that 

v     its services are accessible, appropriate and delivered fairly to all; 

v     the mix of its employees, volunteers and management committees reflects, as far as possible, the broad mix of the population of Sutton; 

v traditionally disadvantaged sections of the community are encouraged to participate in policy decisions about, and the management of the services provided. Volunteer Centre Sutton welcomes Comments, Suggestions and Complaints.