What do volunteers do?

Volunteers provide social support in an informal way, by doing activities with their service user on a one-to-one basis. Volunteers cannot replace the work of a paid worker and will never be asked to do any sort of personal care or household task. Befriending is not babysitting or counselling.

How long does the recruitment process take?

Involve requires that volunteers undertake an initial interview, a satisfactory Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Check (http://www.crb.gov.uk), two references, social services check, two days induction training and a post training interview. How long each part takes varies greatly from volunteer to volunteer and so it is hard to give a time period. Generally, volunteers complete the process and are matched with a service user withing 6-8 weeks. Click here, for a step by step view of the recruitment process.

I have criminal convictions - can I still volunteer?

This depends of the nature of the offence, the circumstances surrounding it and when the offence occurred. Volunteers are expected to be upfront about any criminal offences during the recruitment process, as honesty is part of our recruitment criteria. Please see our policy - Recruitment of Ex-Offenders for more information, which you will find in 'resources' to the right hand side of this page.

How long do I have to volunteer for?

As Involve's recruitment process is quite in depth, it can sometimes be a while before the volunteer actually begins volunteering. We therefore suggest that new applicants look to give around one year commitment, in order to allow for time to come through the recruitment process and provide their Service User with an appropriate length of support. Many volunteers choose to give beyond this and are able to either support someone long term or more than one service user.

Do I need a car to volunteer?

No. If you do not have access to your own transport, Involve will make every effort to find you a suitable placement that is accessible by bus services.

Will my travel costs be reimbursed?

Yes. All volunteer expenses are paid. Volunteers that choose to use their own vehicle, will receive 25p per mile travelled when volunteering (20p for bikes). Volunteers that use bus services will be reimbursed for the cost of their travel (receipts will be required).

Will volunteering with Involve have an effect on any benefits I am receiving?

No. You are free to volunteer while you are receiving benefits, as long as the work you do is unpaid and you meet the rules of your benefit. Always check with your benefits advisor before you start volunteering. For more information, click here.

Is there much paperwork involved?

Volunteers have to complete a diary sheet (a brief record of their volunteering) after every session. Volunteers also have to keep track of their expenses and keep proof of any transactions. For volunteers that are unable to complete these documents, support will be provided. For examples of the diary sheet click here, and the expense form click here.

What support does Involve give its volunteers with disabilities?

All participants on Involve's training are given a pre-course questionnaire where they can make us aware of any additional support needs. For example, these could include use of a loop system, information in large print or braille, sign language interpreters, bringing a personal assistant or dietary needs. Every reasonable effort will be taken to meet any needs that we are made aware of. The SCVS building, where our office is based, is well designed to allow easy access to people with physical disabilities.

I have lots of other commitments - do I have to volunteer at the same time every week?

Some volunteers like to have a fixed appointment with their service user, but others arrange appointments on a week by week basis, for example, if they work shifts. This is fine, as long as the volunteer is reliable and consistent and keeps the project updated. However, in general, volunteers commit to 2-3 hours a week or 4-5 hours a fortnight.

Volunteering is not a guaranteed route to employment. Many of our volunteers have gone into employment and their volunteering has greatly enhanced their CV and allowed them to learn new skills and gain practical experience.

I need to complete a certain amount of voluntary hours in a short space of time - can I do every scheme or volunteer everyday?

Involve only allows volunteers to start one placement initially for 2-3 hours a week. When the volunteer is established, they are able to start further placements if they wish to do so. Involve also likes to see a commitment to supporting vulnerable children and adults, beyond building up hours for college / university courses etc.

What is the Independent Safeguarding Authority's (ISA) Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS)?

The Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS or 'the scheme') was introduced as the Governments response to the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley in Soham in 2002. There was much media attention at the time as a result of the 2002 events on how people who wanted to work with children were vetted; this resulted in the 2004 Birchard Inquiry. This inquiry led to the recommendation that all working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults should be checked and registered by a single agency. It was this recommendation that introduced the 'Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006' which set up the VBS. The Home Office is responsible for delivering 'the scheme' in partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Schools and Families. The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was created to help implement 'the scheme' - a single agency to vet and register all who want to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable people (as defined by the 'Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006') and to bar those who are unsuitable. The CRB will be responsible for the system that supports the ISA and also for processing the application forms for ISA registration. The VBS does not replace the current CRB Disclosure process of the information obtained from the disclosure.

The ISA only covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland has its own equivalent scheme.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme's first phase of registration of those who are changing roles or new to working with children and vulnerable adults which was due to start on 26th July 2010 has been put on hold. In a recent document entitled 'The Coalition: Our programme for Government' the Government said it planned to review the Criminal Records and Vetting and Barring regime and scale it back to create a more streamlined version.

Despite the first phase of registration being put on hold, existing regulations, which were introduced on 12th October 2009, still apply.

This means that as a volunteer, SCVS / Involve as an organisation, have a duty to:

• Refer information about individuals who may pose a risk to children or vulnerable adults to the ISA who are an independent decision making body barring inappropriate people
• Inform the ISA of those who are on the barred lists and seek to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults. Criminal penalties have been introduced for those who seek work with children and vulnerable adults who are on the barred lists
• Not knowingly accept a volunteer who is on the barred lists