Good Practice Statement

Introduction

Bradford Vision and its partner agencies are happy to back this Policy Statement on Good Practice in Involving Volunteers as a demonstration of its commitment to volunteering and in recognition of the contribution which volunteers make to the life of the Bradford District.

The Policy Statement is believed to be the first joint initiative on volunteering good practice between the statutory and voluntary sectors in the country, and is a brief summary of several key areas that must be addressed when involving volunteers. All Council-commissioned voluntary organisations and Council Departments that involve volunteers are currently required to have Volunteering Policies based on this document.

A group of volunteer-involving organisations has met regularly since the Policy Statement’s launch with the purpose of overseeing its implementation. This group, now known as the Bradford Volunteering Strategic Partnership, represents a range of statutory agencies and strategic voluntary organisations which have either developed Volunteering Policies of their own or who support others in the management of volunteers, eg: West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Bradford, Bradford Cares, Volunteer Centres (Local Volunteering Development Agencies), and the Bradford Youth Volunteering Development Project, including Millennium Volunteers.

Who is the Policy Statement for?

For everyone in the Bradford District who manages volunteers.

Why Implement the Policy Statement?
.
To be part of a Bradford-wide initiative which encourages high standards in volunteer involvement across statutory
and voluntary agencies.

To provide a checklist on good practice in working with volunteers in your organisation.

To protect volunteers working in your organisation.

To promote volunteers’ rights.

To give a clear, strong message to your volunteers that they are valued and are vital to the work of your organisation.

To help recruit and retain volunteers.

To involve volunteers more closely in the work of your organisation.

To demonstrate to potential funders your organisation’s commitment to good practice.

Your organisation’s adoption and implementation of the Policy Statement is, therefore, a public acknowledgement of its good practice in working with volunteers.

How to Implement the Policy Statement

1.Guidelines
The areas summarised in the Policy Statement have been expanded upon in Good Practice Guidelines which are intended to assist in the effective running of a volunteer programme.

2.Training for staff who have responsibility for volunteers
Training for staff is provided on a regular basis via Volunteering Bradford, and Keighley and District Volunteer Centre - these Local Volunteering Development Agencies can also provide information on nationally organised
training courses.

3. Advice and Information .
For individual advice on developing your Volunteering Policy contact the relevant voluntary or statutory organisation. A local Volunteer Organisers’ Forum is held four times a year and looks at different aspects of volunteering, good practice management and current issues affecting volunteer management.

A wide range of resources is available from:
Volunteering England, Regents Wharf,
All Saints Street, London N1 9RL.

Tel: 845 305 6979.
Email: information@volunteeringengland.org
Website: www.volunteeringengland.org