Organisations that involve volunteers need to ensure they have procedures in place to protect their beneficiaries (e.g. clients, service users, and participants), volunteers and staff. When working with children and/or vulnerable adults, an organisation should promote a culture of safeguarding. This means volunteers should have the support and guidance to carry out their activities safely and effectively.
Safeguarding also serves to protect volunteers and the organisation they work with by helping organisations avoid potentially compromising situations, usually called safer working practice.
The Safeguarding approach of your organisation should fit the risk inherent in the activities of each volunteering opportunity. If your organisation works with children, young people or vulnerable adults, you should have a safeguarding policy in place, which all your employees and volunteers are familiar with and have access to. This should clearly state the organisation’s commitment to Safeguarding, as well as the roles and responsibilities of everyone in the organisation for delivering on this commitment. It should clearly state that all volunteers and staff have a role to play in protecting vulnerable people from harm. Ideally, all staff and volunteers should attend Safeguarding training. Clear procedures and guidelines should be in place for staff and volunteers regarding how to report and record concerns and incidents.
Safeguarding procedures may include:
- Effective recruitment procedures, including safeguarding questions in introductory chats and safeguarding questions on references.
- DBS checks
- Regular training
- Supervision and support
- Safeguarding Policy and clear guidelines
For further information go to: Safeguarding in Salford | Salford CVS
Safeguarding and volunteers | NCVO
Salford CVS run regular Safeguarding training. Please see link below to our training page or you can contact us on our main office number 0161 787 7795 for support and advice on Safeguarding issues Salford CVS Events & Training | Salford CVS
Safer recruitment
Safer recruitment refers to a set of practices within an organisation that can help to make sure staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. Safer recruitment is about safeguarding being a fundamental part of each aspect of your recruitment process. Safer recruitment should be incorporated into the following:
- Role description
- Reference checks
- DBS checks (if the role is eligible)
- Contacting references
- Introductory chat
- Induction
If a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults tries to volunteer with these groups they are breaking the law. If the organisation recruits them they would also be breaking the law.
For more information about safer recruitment and how to include safer recruitment procedures in your recruitment process go to Safer recruitment | NSPCC Learning
