Volunteer Policy

This Volunteer Policy explains how Street Lights Collective CIC recruits, supports, supervises, protects and manages volunteers. It sets clear expectations so that volunteering is safe, meaningful, respectful and aligned with the mission of the Organisation.

Street Lights Collective CIC works with children, young people, families and communities affected by trauma, serious youth violence, exclusion, social isolation, contextual safeguarding risks and reduced access to opportunity. Because of this, volunteers must be managed with care, clear boundaries and strong safeguarding practice.

The Organisation values volunteers as part of its wider community movement. Volunteers help strengthen presence, power and purpose by contributing time, skills, lived experience, professional knowledge, local insight and practical support.

This policy applies to all people who volunteer with or for Street Lights Collective CIC, including:

• community volunteers
• youth mentors
• event volunteers
• administrative volunteers
• faith and community volunteers
• youth ambassadors and peer leaders
• student volunteers and placement volunteers
• specialist volunteers and advisors acting in an unpaid role
• volunteers supporting schools, outreach, community events, mentoring, family programmes, NEET Futures activity and youth work
• any person representing the CIC in an unpaid capacity.

This policy should be read alongside the Safeguarding Policy, Safer Recruitment Policy, Data Protection Policy, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Complaints and Whistleblowing Policy, Risk Assessment Policy, Financial Controls Policy and Code of Conduct.

Street Lights Collective CIC is committed to creating a volunteer culture that is safe, purposeful, inclusive and trauma informed.

The Organisation will seek to ensure that volunteers:

• understand the mission, values and expectations of Street Lights Collective CIC
• are treated with dignity and respect
• are matched to roles that suit their skills, experience and suitability
• receive appropriate induction, safeguarding guidance and role information
• are supported by a named lead or supervisor
• are not placed in situations that exceed their training, role or confidence
• understand boundaries, confidentiality and reporting duties
• have a clear process for raising concerns
• are protected from exploitation, unfair treatment and unsafe practice.

A volunteer is a person who freely gives their time, skills or support to Street Lights Collective CIC without employment status or expectation of payment.

Volunteers are not employees. They do not have a contract of employment and are not entitled to wages. However, they are expected to follow the Organisation’s policies, procedures, safeguarding expectations and code of conduct.

Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed where approved in advance and supported by receipts, in line with the Financial Controls Policy.

Volunteering within Street Lights Collective CIC is based on the following principles:

• volunteering should benefit the community and support the Organisation’s objects
• volunteers should never be used to replace paid staff inappropriately
• volunteering should be safe, supported and properly supervised
• volunteers must understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
• volunteers must work within clear boundaries
• volunteers should be treated fairly and inclusively
• volunteers must not use their position for personal gain, influence or inappropriate access to young people or families
• the needs and safety of children, young people, families and communities must always come first.

Volunteer roles may include, but are not limited to:

• supporting community events and outreach activity
• welcoming participants and helping with registration
• supporting workshops, group sessions and youth activities
• helping with refreshments, venue set up and practical logistics
• supporting mentoring programmes where appropriately assessed and trained
• helping with youth ambassador activities
• supporting NEET Futures events and opportunities where appropriate
• supporting administrative work, evaluation forms and feedback collection
• supporting communications under supervision
• providing professional or specialist advice in an unpaid capacity.

Every volunteer role must have a clear role description. The role description should explain the purpose of the role, main tasks, supervision arrangements, safeguarding expectations, training requirements and any checks needed before the role begins.

Street Lights Collective CIC will recruit volunteers in a way that is fair, transparent and proportionate to the role. Recruitment will follow the Safer Recruitment Policy where volunteers may have contact with children, young people, families or vulnerable adults.

The recruitment process may include:

• completion of a volunteer application or expression of interest form
• an informal or formal interview
• identity checks
• reference checks where appropriate
• DBS checks where the role requires this
• review of skills, experience and suitability
• discussion of safeguarding, boundaries and values
• risk assessment of the role and environment
• agreement to follow organisational policies.

The Organisation may refuse a volunteer application where it believes the person is unsuitable, there are safeguarding concerns, the role cannot be safely supported, there is a conflict of interest, or the person’s involvement would not be in the best interests of the Organisation or its beneficiaries.

Not every volunteer role will require a DBS check. The need for a DBS check will depend on the nature of the role, the level of contact with children or adults at risk, whether the role meets the definition of regulated activity, and the level of supervision in place.

Roles involving regular unsupervised contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults are likely to require appropriate checks before volunteering begins.

A DBS certificate alone does not make a person suitable. Suitability will also be assessed through references, interview, behaviour during induction, understanding of safeguarding, willingness to follow boundaries and ongoing conduct.

Where information arises that may affect suitability, the Organisation will consider the risk carefully, seek advice where appropriate, and document the decision.

All volunteers must receive an induction appropriate to their role before starting activity.

The induction should cover:

• the vision, mission and values of Street Lights Collective CIC
• Presence. Power. Purpose.
• role description and expectations
• safeguarding responsibilities
• how to report concerns
• contextual safeguarding risks relevant to the work
• confidentiality and data protection
• health and safety
• equality, diversity and inclusion
• professional boundaries
• social media expectations
• behaviour expectations and code of conduct
• supervision and who to contact for support
• expenses and financial procedures where relevant.

Safeguarding is central to all volunteering with Street Lights Collective CIC.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Phillip Chackochen. Any safeguarding concern must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

Volunteers must:

• place the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk above all other concerns
• report safeguarding concerns promptly
• never promise secrecy to a child, young person, parent, carer or participant
• record concerns accurately and factually
• avoid investigating concerns themselves
• follow the Safeguarding Policy and escalation process
• understand that safeguarding includes harm in homes, schools, peer groups, online spaces and community locations.

Street Lights Collective CIC recognises that harm can occur beyond the family home. Young people may face risk in peer groups, estates, parks, transport routes, schools, online platforms, community spaces and local areas affected by postcode conflict.

Volunteers must be alert to contextual safeguarding risks including:

• serious youth violence
• knife carrying
• gang involvement
• criminal exploitation
• county lines
• online harm and threats
• postcode conflict
• unsafe routes or locations
• peer pressure and coercion
• sexual exploitation
• bullying and intimidation
• missing episodes
• substance misuse
• domestic abuse and family stress.

Volunteers must never place themselves or young people into unsafe situations. Any concerns about community tensions, threats, online activity, planned retaliation or unsafe locations must be reported immediately to the Programme Lead or Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Clear boundaries protect volunteers, young people, families and the Organisation.

Volunteers must not:

• meet young people privately without permission and supervision arrangements
• transport young people alone unless this has been formally approved and risk assessed
• share personal phone numbers or personal social media accounts with young people unless explicitly authorised within a managed programme
• contact young people outside agreed channels
• give gifts, money or loans to young people or families without approval
• make promises they cannot keep
• enter into personal, romantic, financial or inappropriate relationships with beneficiaries
• share confidential information except where required for safeguarding or legal reasons
• use their role to promote private business, personal influence or unrelated beliefs without approval.

Where a volunteer is unsure about boundaries, they must ask the Programme Lead or Designated Safeguarding Lead before acting.

Volunteers represent Street Lights Collective CIC and must behave in a way that protects the Organisation’s reputation and supports its values.

Volunteers must:

• treat all people with dignity and respect
• act with honesty and integrity
• follow instructions from authorised leads
• maintain confidentiality
• avoid discriminatory, aggressive or intimidating behaviour
• avoid language or behaviour that glamorises violence, criminality, gang culture or exploitation
• dress appropriately for the activity
• arrive on time and communicate if unavailable
• report incidents, accidents and concerns
• work in line with Presence. Power. Purpose.

Street Lights Collective CIC will provide training that is proportionate to the volunteer role.

Training may include:

• safeguarding induction
• contextual safeguarding awareness
• trauma informed practice
• boundaries and safe relationships
• health and safety
• equality, diversity and inclusion
• data protection and confidentiality
• risk assessment and incident reporting
• mentoring skills where relevant
• online safety and social media expectations
• de escalation and positive engagement where appropriate.

Volunteers must complete required training before undertaking higher risk roles or direct work with young people.

Volunteers must have a named contact or supervisor. The level of supervision will depend on the volunteer role, experience and level of risk.

Supervision may include:

• briefings before activities
• debriefs after sessions or events
• regular check ins
• case discussion where appropriate and authorised
• support after difficult incidents
• feedback on performance and conduct
• opportunities to raise concerns.

Volunteers involved in emotionally demanding work should be supported to reflect safely and should not be left to carry serious concerns alone.

Where volunteers act as mentors, additional safeguards must apply.

Volunteer mentors must:

• be recruited and assessed through safer recruitment processes
• complete required safeguarding and mentoring training
• work within an agreed mentoring framework
• keep appropriate records of sessions
• follow confidentiality and safeguarding rules
• avoid private unsupervised arrangements outside the agreed programme
• receive supervision from a named lead
• report concerns immediately.

Mentoring must never become secretive, informal or dependent on the personal relationship between the mentor and young person. The Organisation must be able to oversee the relationship safely.

Street Lights Collective CIC values youth voice and leadership. Young people may volunteer as Youth Ambassadors or peer representatives, including through the Youth Voice and Ambassador Forum led by Mikha’El Stevens Robinson.

Young volunteers must be supported, supervised and protected. They must not be placed in unsafe situations, asked to manage risk beyond their age or maturity, or used to access peers in ways that could expose them to harm.

For young volunteers, the Organisation should consider:

• parent or carer consent where appropriate
• age appropriate role descriptions
• clear supervision
• safe travel arrangements
• safeguarding and wellbeing support
• reasonable limits on responsibility
• recognition and celebration of contribution
• protection from online or community backlash.

Street Lights Collective CIC is committed to inclusive volunteering. The Organisation will seek to remove unnecessary barriers and ensure volunteering opportunities are accessible, fair and respectful.

Volunteers must not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, class, culture, language, background or lived experience.

The Organisation recognises the value of lived experience, cultural insight and community knowledge. However, lived experience must work alongside safeguarding, boundaries, accountability and safe practice.

Volunteers should not be left out of pocket for reasonable expenses that have been approved in advance.

Expenses may include:

• travel costs
• parking where approved
• reasonable refreshments where required for an activity
• approved materials purchased for the Organisation.

All expenses must be supported by receipts or other approved evidence. Expenses must be claimed in line with the Financial Controls Policy. Volunteers must not make purchases on behalf of the Organisation without prior approval.

Street Lights Collective CIC will maintain appropriate insurance for its activities, which may include public liability, employer’s liability where required, professional indemnity and other cover relevant to its work.

Volunteers must only carry out activities that have been authorised by the Organisation. Unauthorised activity may not be covered by insurance.

The Organisation will take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of volunteers, participants and the public.

Volunteers must:

• follow health and safety instructions
• take reasonable care of themselves and others
• report hazards, accidents, injuries and near misses
• not undertake tasks they are not trained or physically able to do safely
• follow venue rules and emergency procedures
• support safe ratios, safe movement and safe supervision where working with young people.

Volunteers may have access to personal, sensitive or safeguarding information. This information must be handled carefully and in line with the Data Protection Policy and Website Privacy Notice where relevant.

Volunteers must not:

• share personal information without permission or lawful reason
• store participant information on personal devices unless authorised
• take photographs or videos without consent and approval
• discuss confidential matters in public or online
• keep records outside agreed systems
• use participant information for personal contact or private purposes.

Safeguarding information must be shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead where there is a concern about risk or harm.

Volunteers must not take or share photographs, videos, testimonials or personal stories from Street Lights activities without permission from the Organisation and the correct consent from participants.

Volunteers must not post content that identifies young people, vulnerable families, sensitive locations, safeguarding concerns or community tensions without approval.

Personal social media use must not undermine the values, safety or reputation of Street Lights Collective CIC.

Volunteers must declare any conflict of interest that could affect their role or decision making.

Examples include:

• a personal relationship with a participant or family
• a financial interest in a partner organisation
• using volunteering to promote a private business
• being connected to a decision about funding, recruitment or payment
• community tensions that may affect impartiality or safety.

The Organisation will decide how any conflict should be managed.

Volunteers have the right to raise concerns about unsafe practice, poor conduct, discrimination, bullying, safeguarding, fraud, financial concerns or behaviour that may harm the Organisation or its beneficiaries.

Volunteers should raise concerns through their supervisor, a Director, the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or the Complaints and Whistleblowing Policy.

Volunteers must not be victimised for raising a genuine concern in good faith.

A volunteer may stop volunteering at any time. Where possible, volunteers should give reasonable notice so that activities can be managed safely.

Street Lights Collective CIC may end or suspend a volunteer role where:

• the role is no longer needed
• the volunteer is not following policies or instructions
• there are safeguarding or conduct concerns
• the volunteer is acting outside agreed boundaries
• the volunteer’s behaviour creates risk
• there is a conflict of interest that cannot be managed
• the volunteer brings the Organisation into disrepute
• continued involvement is not in the best interests of the Organisation or beneficiaries.

Where appropriate and safe, concerns should be discussed with the volunteer before a final decision is made. However, where safeguarding or serious risk is involved, immediate suspension or removal may be necessary.

The Organisation will keep appropriate volunteer records, which may include:

• application information
• role description
• emergency contact details
• identity checks
• DBS information where relevant
• references where taken
• training records
• supervision notes where appropriate
• incident or concern records
• start and end dates.

Volunteer records will be stored securely and retained in line with the Data Protection Policy and retention requirements.

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors, or sooner if there is a serious incident, safeguarding concern, change in law, change in activities or learning from practice.

Signed on behalf of Street Lights Collective CIC

Name: Andrew Fuller

Role: Director

Signature: _______________________________

Date: _______________________________

Name: Mark Anthony Malcolm

Role: Director

Signature: _______________________________

Date: _______________________________