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Policies - Volunteer
Statement
of Policy
Values
Fermanagh Shadow Council values the contribution of volunteers
and recognises volunteers as a core part of the team in the
operation of this organisation.
We further acknowledge that Shadow Councillors and Delegates
offer their time voluntarily as representatives of young people
in Fermanagh, working to give young people a voice and to address
the issues that are important to young people.
In addition to the Shadow Councillors and Delegates, adult volunteers
can help develop the Shadow Council as an organisation and the
projects prioritised by the Shadow Council. It is also recognised
that many professionals working with the Shadow Council (eg
council staff, teachers, management committee members) contribute
beyond what is usually expected of them in their working role.
We believe that volunteers should be able to gain personal benefits
from the experience of volunteering in addition to learning
new skills and gaining experience.
Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council strives to create a diverse and
inclusive organisation within a diverse and inclusive community.
Therefore, we are committed to ensuring equality of access to
volunteer opportunities and equality of treatment for our volunteers
in all our policies and practices.
Preparation and Planning
Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council identifies roles for adult volunteers
that extend the work of the organisation. Volunteers are involved
at every level of the organisation in roles which complement,
but never substitute the work of paid staff.
Volunteers with FSYC are fully protected by the organisation’s
public liability insurance. However, drivers using their cars
in connection with their voluntary work must inform their own
insurance company to ensure adequate and continued cover.
FSYC endeavours to provide adequate and appropriate facilities,
equipment and resources to enable volunteers to fulfil their
roles.
The Project Worker is responsible for the day-to-day management
of volunteer involvement, however overall responsibility rests
with the Management Committee, which has an equal number of
young people and adults from a diverse representation of backgrounds.
Recruitment and Selection
Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council is committed to serving and representing
all the young people of Fermanagh and wishes to see all sections
of the community represented among our volunteers.
Volunteer opportunities are widely promoted throughout post-primary
schools and colleges in Fermanagh and we will endeavour to make
recruitment and selection materials available in a format accessible
to any individual or group upon request. Furthermore, we regularly
review the make-up of the Shadow Council to identify and target
any under-represented group(s).
FSYC implements a fair, effective and open system in the recruitment
and selection of volunteers and treats all information collected
in this process confidentially. Adult volunteers may be proposed
by Shadow Councillors, Delegates or Management Committee members
for their expertise, insight or interest.
Before a volunteer is officially recognised by the Shadow Council
they should apply to Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau who will assess
what kind of work they want to do. Volunteers may also be recruited
directly from Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau if they propose a screened
applicant with an interest in the Shadow Council.
All adult volunteers must undergo PECS screening with a particular
emphasis on child protection issues. Only convictions relevant
to the capacity in which they are working will be taken into
account in assessing their suitability to work as a volunteer.
Management of Volunteers
All adult volunteers will be welcomed to the Shadow Council
with an introductory informal chat about the Shadow Council
and the expectations and responsibilities of both the volunteer
and Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council.
This introduction will provide background information on FSYC;
explain its structures and procedures; describe the volunteer
role and the work team and outline how s/he will be supported,
including practical information on e.g. expenses.
Volunteers will also be given a copy of all Shadow Council policies
with special attention made to the young people’s protection
and equal opportunities policies and will be given the opportunity
to discuss any of the issues with the Project Worker.
All adult volunteer placements are subject to a trial period,
the length of which depends on the nature and hours of the voluntary
work. A review meeting between the volunteer and Project Worker
will be held at the end of the trial period to ensure that all
parties are satisfied with the arrangement.
FSYC aims to reflect the voluntary nature of our relationship
with volunteers in all our policies and procedures for managing
their involvement. Therefore, any difficulties should be brought
to the attention of the Project Worker either directly or through
a third party.
If this is problematic for any reason the volunteer may access
the complaints procedure, either directly or through a third
party, by contacting the Chair of the Management Committee or
any other member of the Management Committee known to them.
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