|
Introduction
In the Glamorgan Record Office a volunteer is understood to be a person
who does voluntary work at the direction and under the supervision of
paid staff by choice and with no remuneration.
Volunteers are an important resource, making a vital contribution to
achieving aims and objectives by complementing and adding value to the
work of paid staff. The intention is to encourage, develop and support
volunteer involvement in our work and regard volunteers as significant
stakeholders. Experience has shown that volunteering benefits both volunteers
and those with whom they work. We hope that volunteers will enjoy their
involvement and gain from it in terms of their own personal objectives.
The Glamorgan Record Office believes that the relationship with volunteers
is one of mutual responsibility and commitment, within which both partners
have rights and responsibilities.
Purpose of the Policy
The Glamorgan Record Office’s purpose in adopting this policy
is to:
• highlight and acknowledge
the value of the contribution made by volunteers
• reflect the purpose,
values, standards and strategies of the Glamorgan Record Office in
its involvement of volunteers
• recognise the respective
roles, rights and responsibilities of volunteers and of the Glamorgan
Record Office
• confirm the Glamorgan
Record Office’s commitment to involving volunteers in its work
• establish clear
principles for the involvement of volunteers
• clarify the roles
of volunteers and address the relation between volunteers and those
who engage them
• help to ensure
the ongoing quality of both the volunteering opportunities on offer
and the work carried out by volunteers
• establish a framework
for recruiting and supporting volunteers
Principles of Good Practice
General
• tasks to be performed
by volunteers will be clearly defined, so that all concerned with
their activities are sure of their respective roles and responsibilities
• records of the
work done by volunteers will be kept as a basis for monitoring, and
volunteers will have access to their records
• volunteering opportunities
will complement rather than replace the work of paid staff
• all existing and
future policies will be checked to ensure compliance with this policy
• the policy and
procedures on volunteers will be monitored and reviewed in accordance
with office practice
• priority tasks
for volunteers will be identified in the annual business plan
Recruitment and Selection of Volunteers
• Equal opportunities
will be adhered to when recruiting and selecting volunteers.
• People who offer
to volunteer will receive a response within office target times.
• Volunteer recruitment
procedures will be subject to regular review.
• Every effort will
be made to match the volunteer’s skills, talents and interests
to the task.
Support for Volunteers
• The Glamorgan Record
Office will invest financial and personnel resources for the management
of volunteers.
• An induction programme
and a review session will be provided for each volunteer to assess
their progress and to resolve any problems at an early stage.
• Volunteers will
be given information on legislation or policies which may affect them
and be treated in the same way as paid staff for liability purposes.
• All volunteers
will have access to appropriate support and supervision with a named
member of staff.
• All volunteers
will be offered appropriate training to enable them to develop their
capabilities and personal competence.
Rights of Volunteers
In engaging volunteers, we
recognise the rights of volunteers to:
• know what is expected
of them and to be given clear information and an induction into the
organisation
• have clearly specified
lines of support and supervision
• be shown appreciation
• have safe working
conditions and be insured
• know what their
rights and responsibilities are
• be trained and
receive ongoing opportunities for learning and development
• be free from discrimination
• experience personal
development through their participation as volunteers
• ask for a reference
• be consulted on
decisions that will affect what they do
• withdraw from voluntary
work
The Responsibilities of Volunteers
• supply a CV or
complete an application/registration form.
• carry out their
tasks in a way which corresponds to the aims and values of the Glamorgan
Record Office
• work within agreed
guidelines and remits
• be reliable
• respect confidentiality
• attend training
and support sessions where agreed.
• comply with existing
policies and procedures.
Relationship with Paid Staff
• Steps will be taken
to ensure that paid staff at all levels are clear about the role of
volunteers, and that good working relationships are fostered between
paid staff and volunteers.
• The roles of volunteers
and paid staff will be complementary and mutually supportive.
• If appropriate,
consultation arrangements with Trades Unions will be established.
• Appropriate training,
support and resources will be provided for all those who work alongside
volunteers and for those who have a managerial role in relation to
volunteers.
• Volunteers will
not be engaged in times of industrial action to do the work of paid
staff. They may continue with their regular work, provided appropriate
supervision by paid staff continues to be available, but will not
be asked to undertake additional duties.
Responsibility
Overall responsibility for
the implementation, monitoring and review of the policy and procedures
lies with the Management Team and, on a day to day basis, with the paid
staff and volunteers.
|