Policies

Volunteering Policy

This volunteering policy sets out the principles and practice by which Arthritis Action involves volunteers and is relevant to staff, volunteers and trustees within the organisation. It aims to create a common understanding and to clarify roles and responsibilities to ensure the highest standards are maintained in relation to the management of volunteers. The volunteer handbook gives further details about the support and procedures in place for volunteers.

Arthritis Action’s Commitments 

We recognise volunteers as an integral part of the organisation. Their contribution supports our mission and strategic aims, and complements the role of paid staff. We aim to encourage and support volunteer involvement to ensure that volunteering benefits the organisation, the members, the public and the volunteers themselves. Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that paid staff are clear about the role of volunteers, and to foster good working relationships between paid staff and volunteers. Volunteers will not be used to replace staff. We are committed to offering a flexible range of opportunities and to encouraging a diversity of people to volunteer with us, including those from under-represented groups such as youth, people with a disability, older people and people from black and minority ethnic communities.

We recognise that there are costs associated with volunteer involvement and will seek to ensure adequate financial and staffing resources are available for the development and support of volunteering. We recognise that people have a right to participate in the life of their communities through volunteering and can contribute in many ways. We recognise our responsibility to organise volunteering efficiently and sensitively so that the valuable gift of the volunteer’s time is best used to the mutual advantage of all concerned.

Who is a Volunteer?  

• Volunteers are individuals who undertake activity on behalf of Arthritis Action, unpaid and of their own free choice. Volunteering as activity which is:
• undertaken freely, by choice
• undertaken to be of public/community benefit
• not undertaken for financial gain (work experience placements and internships are not the same as volunteering)
• Trustees are volunteers with responsibility for governance of the organisation

Volunteers may be involved on a one – off, short term or on a longer term, regular basis. They may be involved:

• in the direct delivery of services
• on our board of trustees
• in community engagement to raise awareness of our work
• in one-off events and promotional activities
• in our offices or in community venues

Volunteers are valued for:

• bringing additional skills and new perspectives to the organisation
• enabling us to be more responsive and flexible in our approach
• championing our cause within the wider community
• enhancing the quality of our work and member experience
• promoting the well-being of service users, staff, local communities and themselves

Standards of Good Practice  

Our management practice is informed by the Code of Practice for organisations involving volunteers and the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard for volunteer management.

Roles and Responsibilities  

A designated staff member (The Director of Member Services and Operations) has responsibility for the development and co-ordination of voluntary activity within the organisation, including volunteering policies and procedures, and the welfare of volunteers.

All volunteers have a designated staff member/volunteer for guidance, support and supervision. Staff responsibilities for volunteers will be explicitly referred to in their job/role description.

The volunteer role is based on trust and mutual understanding. There is no enforceable obligation, contractual or otherwise, for the volunteer to attend or to undertake particular tasks or for the organisation to provide continuing opportunities for voluntary involvement, provision of training or benefits. However, there is a presumption of mutual support and reliability. Reciprocal expectations are acknowledged – both of what the organisation expects of volunteers and what volunteers expect of the organisation.

The organisation expects volunteers to:

• be reliable and honest
• uphold the organisation’s values and comply with organisational policies
• make the most of opportunities given, e.g. for training
• contribute positively to the aims of the organisation and avoid bringing the organisation into disrepute
• carry out tasks within agreed guidelines

Volunteers can expect to:

• have clear information about what is and is not expected of them
• receive adequate support and training
• be insured and to volunteer in a safe environment
• be treated with respect and in a non-discriminatory manner
• receive out of pocket expenses
• have opportunities for personal development
• be recognised and appreciated
• be able to say ‘no’ to anything which they consider to be unrealistic or unreasonable
• know what to do if something goes wrong

Recruitment and selection

• Equal opportunities principles will be adhered to in recruiting volunteers.
• Opportunities will be widely promoted so as to attract interest from different sectors of the community.
• Positive action to target recruitment may be used where appropriate.
• Online application is encouraged but non-digital methods of application are also available. Information will be made available to those enquiring about volunteering, including written role descriptions which set out the nature and purpose of the volunteering role, key tasks, skills required and benefits.
• A risk assessment will be undertaken on all volunteer roles.
• Recruitment will usually involve an informal interview, application form and the taking of references; the process will be defined and consistent for any given role – for example the recruitment process for trustees, regular volunteers and for volunteers for one off events will be tailored in each case and may differ from one another.
• Where applicants are not able to be placed in their preferred role, they will be provided with feedback and given the opportunity to discuss alternative volunteering roles, or signposted to the local volunteer centre.
• For roles which may involve sustained and direct contact with young people or adults at risk, where necessary, volunteers will be required to have a full DBS disclosure check which will be arranged by the organisation. DBS disclosures are dealt with in the strictest confidence. A criminal record is not necessarily a bar to volunteering.
• Volunteers will be given induction and training appropriate to the specific tasks to be undertaken.

Support and Supervision  

Volunteers will be offered support and supervision as appropriate, and this is discussed during induction. Arrangements vary according to the volunteer and the role undertaken, and may include telephone support, group meetings or one to one reviews.

Recognition  

Volunteers will be given the opportunity, where relevant, to share their views and opinions with the organisation’s wider staff, at staff meetings etc. Formal recognition of the contribution of volunteers is expressed through annual reports, website articles, social media, and during Volunteers’ Week celebrations.

Dealing with Problems  

• The organisation aims to treat all volunteers fairly, objectively and consistently.
• It seeks to ensure that volunteers’ views are heard, noted and acted upon promptly.
• We will attempt to deal with any problems informally and at the earliest opportunity.
• All volunteers will have a named person to whom they can turn in the case of any difficulty.
• Volunteers will be made aware of the organisation’s complaints policy and how to use it. They will also be made aware of how inappropriate behaviour by volunteers will be addressed by the organisation. 

Expenses  

Volunteers will be given clear information about what expenses can be claimed and how to make a claim.

Moving On  

• When volunteers move on from volunteering with us, they will be asked to provide feedback on the volunteering experience by way of an exit questionnaire. They will also be given the opportunity to discuss their responses to the questionnaire more fully.
• Volunteers who have remained with the organisation for at least 3 months will have the right to request a reference.
• Volunteers will be supported to move on to other options.

Other Relevant Documents  

The Volunteer Handbook includes detailed, useful information for volunteers, including template forms. Organisational policies relevant to volunteers include Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Social Media, Safeguarding, and Complaints.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this sheet is intended for guidance only. It is not a substitute for professional advice and we cannot accept any responsibility for loss occasioned as a result of any person acting or refraining from acting upon it.

Safeguarding Policy

Arthritis Action is committed to preventing the abuse and neglect of all people (adults, young people and children) who come into contact with the Charity’s services. We aim to adopt the highest possible standards and take all reasonable steps in relation to the safety and welfare of staff, volunteers, Members, Associated Practitioners, contractors and people who work directly with the Charity.

Arthritis Action usually works with adults, but we have included the safeguarding of children and young people in case we come into contact with them for any reason.

What is Abuse?

Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action which causes harm or distress to a person.

A person may need protection from:

• Physical abuse: including hitting, slapping and punching.
• Sexual abuse: including rape and other acts to which consent has not been given.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: including threats and humiliation.
• Neglect: including being left without food, heating or personal care.
• Discrimination: including unfair treatment because of gender, race, culture, background, age, disability, sexuality or illness.
• Domestic abuse or violence
• Financial or material abuse
• Modern Slavery
• Organisational or institutional abuse
• Self-neglect

Abuse can happen anywhere.  For example: in a clinic, a hospital, in a residential/nursing home, workplace, day centre, supported housing, or in the street. The person abusing could be a family member, friend, neighbour, volunteer or carer.

How Arthritis Action Safeguards

We aim to safeguard by encouraging the following:

Empowerment

People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and give informed consent.

Prevention

It is better to take action before harm occurs.

Proportionality

The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

Protection

Support and representation for those in greatest need.

Partnership

Working with local communities, who have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

Accountability

Accountability and transparency in safeguarding practice.

Arthritis Action does this by:

• Valuing people, listening to them and respecting them as individuals.
• Implementing thorough procedures and a code of practice for staff and volunteers, which adopts safeguarding best practices.
• Providing effective management for all staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
• Recruiting staff and volunteers using safer recruitment best practice, ensuring all necessary checks are completed.
• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with staff, volunteers, Associated Practitioners and Members.
• Sharing concerns with relevant agencies and involving carers appropriately.
• Informing all staff, volunteers, Members and people who work in any capacity with Arthritis Action, of its policies and safeguarding expectations.

Enhanced Safeguarding

People who may require special safeguarding are adults, young people and children at risk.

Who is an Adult at Risk?

A vulnerable adult is a person over the age of 18 who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm. This may be due to a physical disability, learning disability, ageing, sensory impairment or a mental health problem.

Who is a Child or Young Person at Risk?

A child or young person could be anyone under the age of 18 years.

How do I report a suspected case of abuse?

Contact a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT) and they will take the necessary and proportional action. The information you give us will be handled sensitively, but it is EMT’s responsibility to report any incidents of abuse, so the information you share may not be treated confidentially.

At the first instance you should write down anything anyone has told you, or why you think abuse may be taking place, and forward this to the EMT member you reported the incident to.

Advertisement Policy

Arthritis Action:

1. Does not enter into any commercial agreement that would allow its independence or credibility to be compromised.
2. Should not recommend any specific product or service to members and should not encourage members to use a service or buy a product out of loyalty to the charity.
3. Does not carry advertisements or accept payments or donations for goods or services referred to in its national newsletter, on its website or in its leaflets.
4. May receive an income from companies who provide goods or services for people affected by arthritis, who request a link from the national Arthritis Action website. Approval for such links rests with the Chief Executive whose decision will be based on the potential benefit of the goods or services to people affected by arthritis rather than financial reward for the charity. The inclusion of a link from the national website does not imply an endorsement or recommendation, and a disclaimer to this effect will be included each time a link appears.

Arthritis Action Groups:

1. Must not enter into any commercial agreement and if approached should inform the Arthritis Action office immediately.
2. Should acknowledge donations and support given for Arthritis Action activities in a way that does not constitute advertising.
3. Should not see any reference to goods or services as an implied endorsement or recommendation. A disclaimer to this effect must be included in any media where goods or services are mentioned.