MEaP Academy Twilight School Volunteer Policy
Signed: MEaP Board
Last Revision Date: 10^th February 2024
Review Date: February 2025

Volunteer Policy Introduction

This document defines the term and sets out the principles, practices and procedures which MEaP will follow in the appointment, management and control of volunteers.

Definition

Volunteers may be described as individuals who put their experience, knowledge and skills at the disposal of an organisation, free of charge, with the primary aim of helping the organisation to achieve its service objectives and or with the primary aim of bringing some benefit to the local community. In this sense, volunteers are to be distinguished from students, other work placements, and secondees, where the primary aim is usually for the student or secondee to obtain certain work experience or to carry out work or research in certain areas.

In other words, the primary benefit of volunteering in MEaP will be for the benefit of the pupils and school. However, volunteers will also gain valuable teaching/tutoring experience and opportunities.

Aims and Principles

MEaP values volunteers for the diverse skills and experience they bring. Volunteers are essential to the running of the school. It recognises that volunteers should be seen as integral, complementary and additional to the staff of the school.

The object of this policy is to ensure that the interests of the volunteers are met, whilst bearing in mind that the children and young people’s safety and wellbeing is paramount. With this in mind, MEaP undertakes that all volunteers will:

Work under the supervision and guidance of the Project Manager.
Be made aware of and be expected to adhere to MEaP’s policies including Equal Opportunities, Child Protection and Health & Safety.
Have completed a Volunteer Application form.
Have references taken up.
Be police checked.

(See Volunteer Recruitment Procedure – Appendix A).

Absence

Please inform the Project Manager in advance of any planned absence. If you unexpectantly cannot attend the school, please call the Project Manager immediately to inform them.

Dress Code

It is essential that volunteers dress in respectful and culturally appropriate ways to work with the pupils that attend MEaP.

Equal Opportunities

MEaP recognises that the activity of volunteering can provide a volunteer with experiences and opportunities for self and career development. In accordance with MEaP’s Equal Opportunity Policy, volunteer placements at MEaP will be therefore be open to individuals irrespective of race, gender, disability, sexuality, age or marital status.

Health and Safety

This school has a statutory responsibility under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, not to harm or damage the health of staff or volunteers through their involvement in the activities of the organisation.

All volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a safe manner and not to act in a way that may cause injury to others.

Further information on Health and Safety can be found in MEaP’s Health and Safety Policy.

Child Protection

All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

All volunteers and staff will be informed of their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and the procedures for referring concerns to the Project Manager (or other Designated Person).

Further information on Child Protection can be found in MEaP’s Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Policy.

Confidentiality

Volunteers should regard all information they have access to or are given as a result of their volunteering as being confidential unless advised otherwise. No information should be released to a third party without first seeking the agreement the Project Manager and/or the individual concerned, as appropriate.

MEaP will fulfill its duty to safeguard the information contained within application forms etc.

Volunteers have the right to access their own records (and application forms). Should you wish to see these records this can be arranged by giving the Project Manager 24 hours’ notice.

Termination

Where appropriate, the role and placement of the volunteer may be terminated by the Project Manager immediately, where behaviour equivalent to gross misconduct has occurred. In all cases the volunteer will be entitled to an explanation of the decision and action taken. The Project Manager will report any such terminations to the Chair of the Management Committee.

Discipline and Grievance

Volunteers will not be subject to MEaP’s disciplinary procedures. Correspondingly, volunteers will not have access to MEaP’s grievance procedures. However, volunteers will be entitled to use MEaP’s complaints procedure. Where appropriate, the complaint will be investigated fully by the Project Manager or her/his representative.

Expenses

Volunteers will be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, but may not receive payment for any reason.

Insurance

Volunteers will be covered by MEaP’s employer’s public liability, professional indemnity where appropriate, and personal accident insurance.

Volunteer records

Confidential records detailing names, addresses and telephone numbers are maintained on a database. Original copies of the volunteer application form, references, interview notes, and specific checks are also held in a locked file. Volunteer records are accorded confidentiality and each volunteer will have access to their own personal record in accordance with data protection.

Training and involvement

Where a volunteer is based at MEaP on a weekly basis s/he will be expected to be involved and included in general activities, such as meetings, when necessary. Volunteers will also be required to attend a Child Protection Training session every two years.

Monitoring and review

It will be the responsibility of the Project Manager to regularly review the operation of MEaP’s Volunteer Policy to ensure that it is in accordance with MEaP’s Equal Opportunity policy.

Code of Behaviour for Volunteers

What a Volunteer Can Expect

to be valued as an individual
to have clear guidelines within which to carry out duties
to be respected for their individual knowledge and skills
to have support, feedback, appreciation, and encouragement
to have opportunities to contribute to MEaP’s developments
to have opportunities to discuss concerns or problems relating to their duties
not to have their duties changed without prior discussion
to be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses
to be insured while at MEaP
up to date information about the school and its development
a safe working environment
to be given an induction as a volunteer of the school – outlining the policies and procedures that they need to adhere to

What the School can Expect of its Volunteers

a completed volunteer application form, positive reference and approved DBS disclosure
show commitment to the school
treat pupils, staff and volunteer colleagues with respect
have a flexible approach to their duties
be sensitive and tactful in their dealings with pupils
follow policies, procedures and instructions
be punctual
be reliable and regular in their attendance
inform the school in all cases of absence (in advance where possible)
report any accidents promptly to staff
respect confidentiality
be prepared to undertake appropriate training
carry out their tasks to the best of their ability
discuss concerns with the appropriate person
consult the appropriate person, if in need of help and guidance

Some Do’s and Don’ts for Volunteers

Do help to provide a safe, stimulating environment for children and young people.
Reason you are essential to the success of the school. Your role in ensuring that the pupils are in an environment where they are able to learn is paramount.

Do ask questions if you are not clear about what your role is or what is expected of you.
Reason there can be last minute changes. Always make sure you are confident you know what you are doing. This also will be reassuring for the pupils you are working with.

Do help to ensure that equipment is maintained and that anything damaged or dangerous is removed.
Reason accidents do occur and materials do get broken. Volunteers play a key role in ensuring that safety is maintained at all times.

Don’t develop a physical relationship with pupils. Clear boundaries are essential.
Reason you are in a more powerful position than the pupils and such a relationship would be exploitative. This is for your and the pupil’s protection.

Don’t accept/put up with any form of harassment from pupils, staff or other volunteers. If such incidents occur, or you feel they are likely to occur, please contact the Project Manager, who will support you in dealing with this.
Reason: any form of harassment, intimidation or abuse is not to be tolerated and you have the right to conduct your voluntary work without fear of it.

Don’t give your home address to pupils and never invite pupils into your home.
Reason: your time away from volunteering is exactly that – time away. You need space and privacy. During your agreed time with pupils you are protected by policies and guidelines and in your time you are not.

Appendix A – Volunteer Recruitment

To ensure that volunteers are recruited in a manner that ensures the safety of the children and young people of the school, the following must be followed:

Any volunteer adverts or requests for assistance must clearly state that “MEaP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment”.
All job descriptions for staff and volunteers will state the main duties of the post and will include the statement that ‘all adults employed by/volunteering with MEaP are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children s/he is responsible for, or comes into contact with’.
All volunteers will need to have completed a Volunteer Application form.
When appointing volunteers, the MEaP Twilight Supplementary School will pay particular attention to:
- unexplained gaps in employment
- discrepancies
- repeated changes of employment
- explanations as to why the person would like to volunteer with children.
Incomplete application forms will not be accepted.
References will be sought before interviews take place. Open references and testimonials provided by applicants will not be accepted. No volunteer will be appointed until a verified reference is received and scrutinised. For successful candidates, written references will be verbally verified.
It might be necessary to request the contact details of another reference if there is any uncertainty of the appropriateness of the applicant to work with children and young people.
All volunteers will be asked to bring identity proof with them e.g. a current driving licence or passport, a full birth certificate, plus a document such as a utility bill showing the candidate’s current name and address.
All volunteers will be asked to bring documents confirming any educational and professional qualifications relevant to the post.
All interviews will be conducted by a minimum of two (usually three) people. At least one member of the Management Committee will always be present.
As well as the above checks (qualifications, references), all candidates will undergo a DBS check and check of DfES List 99. All volunteer appointments are subject to these checks being satisfactory.
Where there are serious concerns about an applicant’s suitability to work with children, the facts will be reported to the police and the DfES Children’s Safeguarding Operations Unit (formerly the Teachers Misconduct Team).
All appointed volunteers will undergo an induction process which includes information and written statements of; policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding and promoting welfare e.g. child protection, anti-bullying, anti-racism, physical intervention/restraint, internet safety and professional conduct.

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