VOLUNTEER POLICY
Nelmes Pre-School aim to provide the highest standard of pre-school education. In line with this we occasionally accommodate volunteers to:
Ensure our services better meet the needs of our children and parents
Bring new skills, experience and perspectives to the nursery
Further develop our good relations with the local community.
This Volunteering Policy is underpinned by the following principles:
• Nelmes Pre-School will ensure that volunteers are properly integrated into the setting environment and that mechanisms are in place for them to contribute to our aims?
• Nelmes Pre-School does not aim to introduce volunteers to replace paid staff.
• Nelmes Pre-School expects that staff at all levels will work positively with volunteers and, where appropriate, will actively seek to involve them in their work.
• Nelmes Pre-School recognises that volunteers require satisfying work and personal development and will seek to help volunteers meet these needs, as well as providing the training for them to do their work effectively.
Nelmes Pre-School recognises that volunteers represent a valuable resource and that they can make a positive difference to the community and to themselves. We are committed to the recruitment of volunteers being conducted in an open and fair manner, thereby engendering a culture of equality and opportunity. We will use appropriate means to advertise for volunteers that take into account the principles of our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policies. The applicant will have to complete an application form, but help can be given with this if necessary. The applicant will be interviewed by the Nursery Manager and or Group Manager and if successful the two references asked for will be taken up. We will make sure an enhanced criminal records check with the Criminal Records Bureau will be made for every volunteer and only those with enhanced status will be offered a volunteer opportunity in our nursery.
Equal Opportunities at Nelmes Pre-School is committed to maintaining a high quality service for all our children, parents, employees and volunteers. Therefore the principles of equality and diversity should pervade all that we do as we recognise that our success depends on people. Nelmes is committed to achieving a service which promotes equality and opportunity, free from discrimination on the grounds of gender, transgender status, marital status, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, political or religious beliefs, sexuality or by any other condition or requirement which cannot be show to be relevant.
Induction, Training and Development
Nelmes Pre-School recognises that learning and development is essential for volunteers, to support them in their placements to meet organisational goals.
Nelmes Pre-School fully supports the learning and development of all volunteers by:
• Providing resources such as, equipment, time and opportunity to ensure that all volunteers have the right skills and knowledge required to carry out their roles
• Ensuring that Nelmes Nursery staff are aware of their role with regard to volunteer training and development, and that they have the skills and knowledge required to support the volunteer in identifying training and development needs and to follow through with the implementation of that training and development during the placement.
• Encouraging volunteers to pursue development over and above their placement role and to give consideration to career development where appropriate.
• Offering training and development on a fair basis to all volunteers and ensuring that no volunteer receives less favourable treatment or consideration in relation to learning and development on the grounds of their gender, sexual orientation, racial group, marital status, disability, age, religion or religious beliefs or any other unlawful criteria or circumstances.
There will be an induction for all volunteers which will include information about:
• The role of the volunteer
• Copies of all the relevant policies including this Volunteer Policy
• Essential procedures e.g. timekeeping, rota etc.
• Induction training and details of ongoing training
• Other information as appropriate.
There will be a trial period of four weeks to give the organisation and the volunteer time to discover if they are suited to each other. A review will be made midway through the trial period and also at the end. Support All volunteers will have a named person for their main point of contact and regular supervision sessions will be provided to give feedback on progress, discuss future developments and to air any issues.
Insurance
Nelmes will ensure that all volunteers are covered by our insurance policy whilst they are on the premises or engaged in any volunteering activity at Nelmes Pre-School.
Confidentiality
Nelmes Pre-School follows an explicit confidentiality policy, which all workers, (including Management, volunteers and staff), are obliged to observe. Any information pertaining to the operation of the organisation must be regarded as confidential and as being the property of the organisation. It is therefore prohibited to disclose that information to any person not in the organisation’s employment either during or following your placement with the organisation, except such information as is published for distribution to the general public or expressly authorised to be freely circulated by the management.
Resolving Problems
The relationship between the organisation and its volunteer workers is entirely voluntary and does not imply any contract. However, it is important that the organisation is able to maintain its agreed standards of service to the children and parents who use it, and it is also important that volunteers should enjoy making their contribution to this service. If your role as a volunteer does not meet with the organisation’s standards, here is how it will be dealt with:
1. Initially with a meeting with the Nursery Manager who will explain the concerns.
2. If this does not resolve the concern then a meeting with the Group Manager will be convened.
3. If your work still does not meet with our standards then we shall have to stop using your services. At all times you will be able to freely state your case and can have a friend to accompany you.
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your work you should:
1. Initially explain your dissatisfaction with the person named as your point of contact
2. If that does not resolve the concern then a meeting with the Nursery Manager
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 be a volunteer with us. At all times you will be freely able to state your case and can have a friend to accompany you.
Health & Safety
It is the settings continuing objective to promote and maintain a high standard of safety by providing safe places of work, safe systems of working and by proper maintenance, care and attention to all equipment.
It is an essential duty of all volunteers to perform their work well and diligently having due regard to safety rules and procedures.
You must use equipment and protective clothing supplied for your safety and well being and must not mis-use anything provided in the interests of Health and Safety.
You should familiarise yourself with all notices, regulations and procedures which are contained within the organisation’s Health and Safety statements which are issued and displayed at your placement.
Any defect or occurrence which appears to present a risk to Health and Safety must be reported to the setting Manager immediately. If you witness an accident or dangerous occurrence you should report it immediately and participate in any investigation. You are equally bound to comply with such rules and regulations which apply to outside sites on which you are attending. (See separate Health & Safety at Work Policy statement)
This Volunteer Policy is freely accessible to all. It will be reviewed on a yearly basis to adapt or improve it.
