Volunteer Policy
The school’s Volunteer Policy is part of the school’s safeguarding systems.
INTRODUCTIONVolunteers at our school bring with them a range of skills and experience that can enhance the learning opportunities of pupils. The school therefore welcomes and encourages volunteers from the local community.
Our volunteers include:
The types of activities that volunteers engage in, on behalf of the school, include:
SAFEGUARDING
Westward School is committed to safeguarding pupils, young people and vulnerable adults and expects its volunteers to show that commitment.
BECOMING A VOLUNTEER
Anyone wishing to become a volunteer, either for a one off event such as a school visit or on a more regular basis, e.g., hearing pupils read, usually approach the Headteacher, Senior Management or a member of staff. Volunteers should complete the Volunteer Application Form (Appendix 1) with their contact details, types of activities they would like to help with and the times they are available to help.
DEFINITION “REGULATED ACTIVITY”All those (whether paid or voluntary) who engage in any activity on a frequent or intensive basis that occurs in an educational institution which is exclusively or mainly for the provision of full-time education to children. This means that all who work on a regular basis within a school’s premises must comply with all statutory requirements regarding recruitment and ID checks.
PROCESS FOR RECRUITING VOLUNTEER WHO WILL BE WORKING FREQUENTLY OR INTENSIVELY
The school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy The Staff Code of Conduct including the whistleblowing procedures The identity of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) A copy of Part 1 of KCSIE The Confidentiality Policy The Health & Safety Policy The Behaviour Policy
Before starting to help at Westward, a volunteer should complete the Volunteer Agreement (Appendix 2) which sets out the school’s expectations of its volunteer and confirm they have received a copy of this agreement. The school will seek Enhanced DBS clearance for a volunteer before they are left unsupervised with any pupils. This is not required where a volunteer is engaged in a one-off activity as the volunteer will be accompanied by a member of staff at all times.
OUR SCHOOL AIMSAll adults/young people who work in our school, whether a paid member of staff or a volunteer, are expected to work and behave in such a way as to actively promote our school aims and educational purpose.
CONFIDENTIALITYVolunteers in the School are bound by a code of confidentiality. Any concerns that volunteers have about the pupils they work with/come into contact with should be voiced with the DSL and NOT with the parents/carers of the child.
Volunteers who are concerned about anything in the school which may affect their work should raise the matter with the Headteacher or appropriate senior member of staff. Any information gained at the school about a child or adult should remain confidential.
SUPERVISIONAll volunteers work under the supervision of a teacher or full time member of staff. Teachers retain ultimate responsibility for pupils at all times, including the pupils’ behaviour and the activity they are undertaking. Volunteers should be given clear guidance from the designated supervisor as to how an activity is carried out/what the expected outcome of an activity is. In the event of any query/problem regarding the pupils’ understanding of a task, behaviour or their welfare, volunteers must seek further advice/guidance from their designated supervisor.
HEALTH & SAFETYThe school has a Health & Safety Policy and this is made available to volunteers working in the school and is displayed on the school website. An appropriate member of staff will ensure that volunteers are clear about the emergency procedures (e.g., Fire Alarm Evacuation) and about any safety aspects associated with particular tasks (e.g., accompanying pupils on visits). Volunteers need to exercise due care and attention and report any obvious hazards or concerns to the designated supervisor/Headteacher.
CHILD PROTECTIONThe welfare of our pupils is paramount. To ensure the safety of our pupils, we adopt the following procedures:
COMPLAINTSAny complaints made about a volunteer will be referred to the Headteacher or appropriate senior member of staff for investigation. Any complaints made by a volunteer will be dealt with in the same way.
The Headteacher or designated member of staff reserves the right to take the following action:
MONITORING & REVIEWThis policy will be regularly reviewed and updated.
APPENDIX 1 VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM FOR NEW VOLUNTEER
Name of Volunteer: ..........................................................................................................
Date of Birth: ......................................................Address: ...............................................
.............................................................................Post Code: ……………………………
Home Phone No: ……………………………...Mobile: …………………………………
What activities/areas of the school’s work would you like to help with? (If you are a student please include details of your course/placement requirements.)
Are there any particular age groups/classes you would like to work with? (if you have relatives in the school, please give details of their year group/class.)
Do you have any disabilities/other needs we need to take into account or adjustments we need to make to allow you to work as a volunteer in school? (Please give details and continue overleaf if necessary.)
Thank you for taking the time to complete this Volunteer Application Form. Please hand it to the School Office. Your offer of help is greatly appreciated and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
APPENDIX 2 VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT
Thank you for offering your services as a volunteer at Westward School.
Your offer of help is greatly appreciated and we hope that you will gain much from your experience.
Please read and sign this Volunteer Agreement below and return to the School Office on completion. You will receive a copy of it for your records.
VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT
The wellbeing of our pupils and staff is at the centre of our vision at Westward School. As a volunteer helper, I agree to adhere to the following procedures and expectations when helping at school with reading, class activities, preparing resources, when involved with a working party addressing a particular area of school life, when accompanying pupils on an outing and at all times when I have direct contact with pupils and staff.
Signed…………………………………………………….. Date…………………………
PRINT NAME……………………………………………………………………………….
APPENDIX 3 VOLUNTEER GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL TRIPS
These guidance notes have been written in conjunction with the school’s policy on off-site visits. If you have any questions about a school trip, please see the class teacher. We do appreciate your help on school trips - it would be difficult to organise visits outside school without parent volunteers.
Policy updated November 2017
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