VOLUNTEER POLICY
This policy sets out the principles for voluntary involvement in activities authorised by Drybrook Parish Council, who acknowledges that volunteers contribute in many ways, and that volunteering can benefit the Council, local communities and the volunteers themselves.
In appointing volunteers, the Council will be guided by the principles of its Equality and Diversity Policy.
This policy applies to volunteers working on behalf of the Parish Council, not those employed by the Council.
Only volunteer work that has been authorised by the Council will be covered by the Parish Council’s insurance, however the Council does not insure volunteer’s personal possessions.
- Volunteers must inform the Parish Clerk of the work they intend to carry out, before commencing such work, in writing.
- Volunteers must be adequately trained to be able to carry out the role required. The exact nature of the training will depend on the role and the findings from the required risk assessment.
- A risk assessment will be undertaken in order to identify any risks that might be faced and how they will be managed. The Clerk is to receive a copy of the risk assessment prior to the work being undertaken. Visual inspections of the work area must be carried out and recorded prior to work commencing.
The risk assessment should include as a minimum
- The job or activity
- The existing competency of volunteers
- The circumstances of the work (e.g. the degree of supervision)
- The tools and/or equipment being used
- Training requirements
- Consideration of PPE requirements
- The risks from the environment (e.g. traffic)
- There will be a nominated Councillor of Council employee responsible for the volunteer activity
The training standard must be sufficient to ensure the Health and Safety of volunteers and any people who might be affected by the work.
- Volunteers must be informed about the task and its purpose, health, safety and supervision arrangements. Responsibility for this rests with the nominated councillor or Council employee responsible for the activity.
- All works undertaken by volunteers shall have regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act and appropriate PPE must be worn at all times. Volunteers will not be authorised to carry out work that the Council considers hazardous or would contravene the principles of the Health and Safety at Work Act, taking into account the competence of the volunteer(s) carrying out the proposed work.
- All volunteers must have due regard to the fact that they are carrying out authorised work on behalf of Drybrook Parish Council and as such are representing the Council, both in quality of work and possible interaction with the public.
- A copy of this policy will be given to all volunteers.
- In the event of any concerns or disputes arising on the part of the volunteers the Council’s actions in resolving these will be guided by the principles of the Grievance Policy.