Volunteer Policy

We encourage the involvement of parents and other members of the community to act as volunteer helpers and help to enhance the experiences of the children within this school. We recognise that when parents are involved, children do better in their education.

We work positively to promote an ethos of partnership within the school. Such involvement by parents and other members of our community will benefit the whole school community as it will enrich the curriculum.

We understand that all volunteers provide their time and commitment free of charge and we cannot expect them to commit to a regular working pattern or to a regular number of hours per week. Volunteers must understand that there is no commitment by the school to pay them for their services but will reimburse any volunteer for actual expenses incurred to be determined in a volunteer agreement.

We believe the role of the volunteer helper is one of support to the class teacher. At all times the class teacher is responsible for pupil discipline and behaviour within their class. Pupils must show the same respect and politeness to all volunteer helpers and other school visitors as they would do all school personnel.

We expect all volunteer helpers to adhere to strict standards of confidentiality and to sign a confidentiality agreement before they work in this school. All volunteers are instructed to report any safeguarding concern they may immediately to either the Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead or to their mentor.

Before commencing work in this school, all volunteer helpers will have a Disclosure and Barring Service check.  We wish to work closely with the Pupil Voice Groups and to hear their views and opinions as we acknowledge and support Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that children should be encouraged to form and to express their views.

We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an A impact assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.

We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.

Aims:

• To enrich the learning environment and give more opportunities for pupils to engage with adults.

• To promote an ethos of partnership within the school.

• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation connected to this policy.

• To work with other schools and the local authority to share good practice in

  order to improve this policy.

Role of the Governing Body:

• Appoint a member of staff to coordinate Links with the Community;

• delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure all school personnel and stakeholders are aware of and comply with this policy;

• responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;

• the Chair of Governors to ensure that appropriate action will be taken to deal with all prejudice related incidents or incidents which are a breach of this policy;

• responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;

• make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

• responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;

• responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;

• responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.

Role of the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team:

• ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;

• ensure Disclosure and Barring Service checks are undertaken;

• ensure that all volunteers are aware of the volunteer agreement which clearly states that their time and commitment are free of charge to the school, that the school will reimburse them any actual expenses incurred and that this agreement is not a contract of employment;

• work closely with the Chair of Governors and Coordinator;

• provide leadership and vision in respect of equality;

• make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

• provide guidance, support and training to all staff;

• monitor the effectiveness of this policy;

• annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.

   

Role of the Coordinator:

The coordinator (Heather Akerman) will provide the following guidance to adult volunteers prior to them working in school:

• To work under the direction of the class teacher.

• To provide support to the class teacher.

• To report to the school office on arrival and sign in.

• To sign out on leaving.

• To always wear a visitor’s badge.

• To be clear of the role.

• To discuss the activities to be carried out with the teacher.

• To always work at the children’s level both in conversation and in physical size.

• To discuss the task in hand and keep the children focused.

• To encourage children to work quietly.

• To converse with the children using a quiet and clear voice.

• To encourage children to adhere to the class rules.

• To understand that the teacher remains responsible for all the pupils.

• To understand that the ultimate responsibility for discipline lies with the teacher at all times.

• To use appropriate language.

• To develop children’s enquiry skills by asking questions about the task and encourage them to ask questions and offer explanations.

• To be discreet at all times.

• To inform the teacher, after working with children in the school, of any concerns you may have.

• The coordinator will also:

  • lead the development of this policy throughout the school;

  • organise the deployment of adult volunteers throughout the school;

  • work closely with the Headteacher and the nominated governor;

  • make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;

  • provide guidance and support to all staff;

  • provide training for all staff on induction and when the need arises regarding;

  • keep up to date with new developments and resources;

  • undertake risk assessments when required;

  • review and monitor;

  • annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.

Role of School Personnel:

• comply with all aspects of this policy;

• be informed of the guidance given to adult volunteers;

• ensure that the adult volunteer is familiar with the layout and organisation of the classroom;

• ensure that the adult volunteer complies with the guidance given;

• monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the involvement of the adult volunteer;

• implement the school’s equalities policy and schemes;

• report and deal with all incidents of discrimination;

• attend appropriate training sessions on equality;

• report any concerns they have on any aspect of the school community.

Role of Adult Volunteers:

• adhere to the guidance given by the coordinator;

• work in school by supporting individuals or groups of children at the discretion of the class teacher;

• be trained in their role as adult volunteers;

• Disclosure and Barring Service checked;

• sign a confidentiality agreement.

   

Role of Pupils:

• be aware of and comply with this policy;

• be polite and well behaved at all times;

• listen carefully to all instructions given by the teacher / volunteer helpers;

• ask for further help if they do not understand;

• treat others, their work and equipment with respect;

• talk to others without shouting and will use language which is neither abusive nor offensive;

• support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure the smooth running of the school;

• liaise with the Pupil Voice Groups;

• take part in questionnaires and surveys.

   

Role of Parents/Carers:

• be aware of and comply with this policy;

• be encouraged to take an active role in the life of the school:

• be encouraged to work in school as volunteers;

• be encouraged to organise after school clubs or groups;

• be asked to take part in periodic surveys conducted by the school;

• support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure smooth running of the school

• the main school entrance

   

Training for school volunteers:

Receive training on induction which specifically covers:

• All aspects of this policy

• Confidentiality

• Disclosure and Barring Service Checks

• Fire Safety

• Health and Safety

• Risk Management and Risk Assessment

• Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Supervision of Pupils

• Equal opportunities

• Inclusion

• receive periodic training so that they are kept up to date with new information

• receive equal opportunities training on induction in order to improve their understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and its implications

This policy will be reviewed when necessary.