Part 1 – Volunteer Agreement
Breaking Barriers relies on the support of volunteers to carry out much of our work. The organisation would simply not be the same without the help of our volunteers to supplement the work of staff.
The skills and experience you offer to our clients is vital and we thank you for your support. We are committed to doing the best we can to ensure your time volunteering with us is as rewarding and enjoyable as possible.
We ask all our volunteers to sign the following agreement and subsequent code of conduct.
I agree:
- to perform my volunteering role to the best of my ability.
- to complete and return any onboarding documentation as requested.
- To adhere to the breaking barriers procedures and standards, including safeguarding, health and safety and equal opportunities, in relation to its staff, volunteers and clients.
- To meet time commitments, except in exceptional circumstances, and give reasonable notice so other arrangements can be made.
- To be open to learning and receiving performance-related feedback.
- I agree to declare and discuss with Breaking Barriers any unspent criminal convictions I may have*;
Breaking Barriers agrees:
- Provide you with a volunteering briefing
- Support you to carry out your role effectively, with support and feedback
- To provide a safe and supportive environment for your volunteering
- Value and respect you
- Include you in the life of the charity
- Recognise your contribution
Part 2: Code of Conduct
We work with a diverse range of clients from all over the world. Their experiences as refugees differ from person to person but some have experienced different forms of trauma. This can affect them in different ways and while our clients are not all vulnerable adults, their status as refugees and their aforementioned experiences means they are more likely to be vulnerable. All our volunteers and staff are therefore responsible for the way in which they behave and for the steps they take to manage risk and safeguard vulnerable people.
Throughout all our work, the best interests of our service users is our prime concern. Through adopting a consistent approach across the organisation, we each play a part to ensure that Breaking Barriers keeps our clients, staff and volunteers, safe.
Our behaviour must demonstrate that we will always act in the best interests of the people with whom we come into contact. We should all avoid any behaviour which may compromise the safety of vulnerable people and Breaking Barriers’ reputation.
This code of conduct is accepted and signed by all volunteers and ensures that we are all aware of our responsibilities and expectations.
In order to acknowledge our individual responsibility to reduce the likelihood of abuse taking place, each volunteer agrees to the following:
- Watch or attend a safeguarding training video prior to the volunteering activity.
- Read and familiarise themselves with our safeguarding policy and procedures.
- Develop a sound understanding of the process for reporting a concern.
- Model and promote Breaking Barriers’ commitment to safeguarding in all aspects of their work and wider conduct.
- Model positive and holistic examples of behaviour.
- Listen to and respect the views of others.
- Recognise that people can be adversely affected by words and actions and to sensitively challenge inappropriate, offensive, racist or abusive language and behaviour, when safe and appropriate to do so.