Volunteer Policy

What volunteers can expect from us, what we expect in return, and the protections that apply to both sides.

Document status

Version
1.0
Effective
Review cycle
Annually, or sooner if law or practice changes
Owner
Programmes Manager
Applies to
All volunteers and interns

1 Our commitment to volunteers

  • A written placement agreement setting out your role, hours, duration and objectives.
  • A named supervisor responsible for your work and available to you.
  • A safeguarding, PSEA and code of conduct briefing before you begin working with communities.
  • Reimbursement of transport and field costs incurred on the Foundation's behalf.
  • Work that is meaningful and genuinely contributes, rather than filling time.
  • A reference letter or certificate on completion.
  • The same protection from harassment, exploitation and discrimination as paid staff.

2 What we ask of volunteers

  • Reliability — communities plan around your attendance, and a missed session costs them more than it costs us.
  • Adherence to our code of conduct, safeguarding, PSEA and child protection policies.
  • Confidentiality regarding anything you learn about a programme participant.
  • Willingness to be supervised, and to say when a task is beyond your current capability.
  • Reporting of any safeguarding concern, including about our own personnel.

3 What volunteering is not

A volunteer placement is not employment and does not create an employment relationship or entitlement to a salary. It is not a guarantee of future paid work, though we recruit from our volunteer pool where roles arise and a volunteer is well suited.

We never charge any person to volunteer or intern with us. Any request for a placement fee in our name is fraudulent.

4 Boundaries and supervision

Untrained volunteers are not placed alone with children or with survivors of violence. Responsibility is extended as capability is demonstrated. This protects the people we serve, and it also protects volunteers from being placed in situations they are not equipped to handle.

5 Ending a placement

Either side may end a placement, ideally with two weeks' notice so that handover is orderly. A placement may be ended immediately for a breach of our code of conduct, safeguarding or PSEA policies. A reference is provided for any volunteer who completes their agreed period in good standing.