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The purpose of this policy:

  • As a grassroots movement which offers a welcome to asylum seekers and refugees, the aim of the Recruiting Policy is to enable people to volunteer, befriend and to help others with activities associated to Wakefield District City of Sanctuary movement.
  • The aim of the policy is to be inclusive and offer a safe and constructive environment for a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds. 
  • The policy is to outline expected standards of recruiting.
  • The policy is to outline a defined path to becoming a volunteer with Wakefield District City of Sanctuary. 

This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures for:

  • Code of conduct for volunteers, enablers and helpers.
  • Induction and training.
  • Safeguarding Policy 
  • Role of designated safeguarding officer.
  • Recording and information sharing 
  • Health and safety policies 
  • Lone working policies 
  • Reporting allegations of bullying or complaints of inappropriate behaviour. 

Statement: 

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary offers equal opportunities to all people and will not tolerate abuse of any kind – physical, verbal, racial, cultural or religious. As a grassroots movement we have a moral responsibility, to all people associated with the local movement, to offer safety, protection, inclusion and equality.

Recruiting Policy:

  • Having enquired about being a volunteer, befriender, enabler or helper, the Lead Volunteer or the Coordinator will give individuals a verbal outline of the National City of Sanctuary movement and a collection of flyers relating to local drop-ins, the Asylum Seekers Support Fund and the Clothing Store. Potential volunteers will be invited to attend three sessions before filling in a formal application form. 
  • Information relating to the Initial Accommodation Centre will be available and potential volunteers will be directed to Urban House Volunteer Coordinator. Urban House operates within their own polices and conducts their own induction courses.
  • Potential WDCofS volunteer will be asked to complete an Application Form and if possible provide a reference or a referee.
  • Potential volunteers will be given copies of WDCofS policies and have a verbal explanation of expected standards of conduct.  
  • Filling in a Contact Detail form will also be required at this stage but does not guarantee a volunteering opportunity.
  • If there are no current volunteering opportunities, potential volunteers will be placed on a list.
  • Availability and area of specific interest and skills will be noted when the application form is completed. 
  • Volunteers will be asked to commit to regular sessions and inform the Lead Volunteer if they are unable to make the session. 
  • When there is a vacancy for a specific role the most appropriate candidate will be asked, by the Lead Volunteer or the Coordinator, to have a more formal interview. 
  • Where possible volunteers should have a DBS certificate. Asylum seekers and refugees will not be excluded from volunteering if they cannot obtain a DBS certificate. 
  • Volunteers must be over 18years old – people between 16 years and 18 years old will be allowed to attend sessions but must be supervised at all times.
  • When offered a volunteering opportunity volunteers will have an informal interview and a verbal outline of the role they will undertake.
  • If specific volunteering roles are advertises they will have a volunteer role description. 
  • Not all potential volunteers are suited to volunteering in what can be difficult and emotional draining circumstances.
  • The Lead Volunteer of the project or session has the right to accept or refuse applicants. 
  • When specific roles become available Lead Volunteers, in consultation with the Coordinator, can offer a probationary period to a new volunteer – the volunteer must be aware of the probationary period and a constructive review must be held at the end of the period.
  • Volunteers will be expected to attend arranged group meetings and appropriate training. 
  • When training spaces are available potential volunteers as well as active volunteers will be notified of training opportunities. 

This policy was written on August 14th 2016 and will be reviewed regularly. Updated/modified 25th November 2016