VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT, INDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE

 

Policy Statement

FAST is committed to maximising resources and involving members of the community through providing opportunities for volunteers.  Volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the aims of the organisation, allowing the service to be user-led.

The diversity of the local community is represented and the valued volunteer contribution is recognised.

Induction, training and support activities are provided to ensure a quality volunteer service and to enhance the volunteers’ experience. This statement refers to volunteers directly supporting FAST First Responder Service and also those volunteers who provide support through a regular commitment to FAST activities through fundraising.

 

Aim and Scope of Procedure

FAST supports the four key principles of the Volunteering Code (choice, diversity, reciprocity and recognition).

FAST aims to achieve a fair, equitable and transparent approach throughout the recruitment and selection process of all volunteers.

FAST aims to attract, develop and retain volunteers of a high quality and diversity that bring community and fresh perspective, additional skills, innovation and increase the range and depth of existing service provision of the organisation.

FAST aims to maintain a professional image as an organisation committed to offering opportunities for volunteers and to ensure volunteers are managed, supported and developed to a high standard, maximising the effectiveness of their contributions, and ensuring they have a consistently positive experience.

Volunteers are responsible for acting in accordance with their role and are responsible for their own behaviour, ensuring that their actions, attitudes or behaviour do not cause distress or upset to others, and do not damage the reputation of the organisation.

A volunteer is a voluntary member of an organisation who offers help willingly by choice, and without expecting or asking for payment.

Volunteers are recruited in line with our Constitution and without regard to gender, marital status, disability, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, language or social origin or other personal attributes including beliefs or opinions, such as religious beliefs or political opinions

All applicants complete an application form, which requests self disclosure of any convictions.

All newly recruited Responders will receive full training from the FAST organisation in CPR/DEFIB and First Aid to enable them to carry out their voluntary role within the organisation.

 

 

 

As part of the duty for patient care, supporting professional ethical standards of confidentiality, and privacy of individuals, management of information is protected by the FAST Data Protection Policy.

All volunteers are asked to sign a statement of confidentiality at Induction and also required to undertake a Data Protection Course, and failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination of the volunteer’s service.

Safety information is provided through induction and training, as well as via regular support and supervision.

Volunteers must ensure they have received training to use equipment safely, must not modify equipment, must report any faults or incidents involving equipment.

Any volunteer who acts in an unacceptable manner and does not adhere to FAST guidelines  and procedures will be asked to leave the organisation. Examples of unacceptable behaviour may include, but are not limited to:

•    Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs

•    Theft of property or misuse of FAST equipment or resources

•    Failure to report accidents and incidents

•    Failure to meet minimum standards of performance

•    Unacceptable behaviour damaging the reputation of the organisation

•    Endangering the health and safety of others

•    Failure to respect confidentiality

•    Failure to comply with FAST policies and procedures.

 

This Policy is a working document and will be revised annually or as circumstances decree.