 | | Voluntary Community Service | | The Cardiff Volunteer Centre |
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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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