There are no legal age restrictions on children or young people volunteering,
although adult supervision is required for certain volunteering roles.*
However, some organisations registered with VCS do not offer their positions to
those under 18 years of age.
This may seem unfair, as you will have lots to offer
them, but there are understandable reasons why this is the case, and these are
discussed below.
Please be assured that despite this, VCS advises around
500 young people (mostly aged under 18) each year, offering varied and
interesting volunteer placements. We have a file of opportunities listing everything
that’s available to under 18s and we are always seeking to expand the range of
options in it.
Reasons for Under 18 limits
All organisations have a legal responsibility,
known as a 'duty of care' to protect their volunteers and age is a factor that
has to be considered within the duty of care. In some cases it may be decided
that the voluntary work is too dangerous or too stressful for a young person
e.g. being part of
a lifeboat crew or volunteering in a domestic violence refuge. In most
cases, once you haver reached the age of 18 and are therefore an adult in the
eyes of the law you can decide whether you are prepared to accept these risks
and volunteer, or not.
Sometimes (but not too often) a certain
qualification is required for a volunteer role e.g. a diploma for colunteer
counsellors, a degree for a research position.
There are also various policies and procedures that
organisations should put in place when involving volunteers under 18.
Sometimes, small organisations don't have the time/resources to sort these out
and so they are unable to take on younger volunteers. The main three policies
required are:
- Child
Protection
- Health & Safety
- Insurance
Child Protection
To involve
volunteers under the age of 18, organisations…
- Should ensure staff and other
volunteers have criminal record checks done regularly by the Criminal Records
Bureau (also referred to as CRB checks or police checks).
- Should have a child
protection policy in place.
- Should ask for
parental/guardian permission slips.
Health & Safety
To involve
volunteers under the age of 18, organisations…
- Must mention the specific
health and safety considerations for those under 18 in their health and safety
policy/risk assessments. The nature of the task being undertaken, the level of
supervision being offered and the organisation’s clients will all need to be
considered.
Insurance
To involve
volunteers under the age of 18, organisations…
- Must adequately insure their
volunteers. As insurance policies do not automatically cover those under 18
organisations must clarify this with their insurers or change their provider if
necessary.
* For more information, VCS highly
recommends:
'Recruiting Volunteers: a mannual of good practice' ISBN 1
903416 73 6 available from WCVA: 0800 2888 329
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