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Volunteering In England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Submitted by Leslie Johansen on Mon, 2011-11-14 11:13
in

Volunteers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales

This section of the YAC Leaders’ Area has everything that you need to apply as a volunteer with a YAC Branch.

If you are a new volunteer you should complete the relevant form in consultation with your Branch Leader. They will need to sign your form to say that they support your application. If you would like to be involved in a Branch but you don’t know if there is a Branch near you, have a look on the Branches page and contact YAC HQ to show your interest.

Branch Leaders and Branch Assistants

The Branch Leader is responsible for the overall management of the Branch, whilst Branch Assistants provide support for the Branch Leader, their level of support depending on their agreement with the Branch Leader. The lower age limit for Branch Assistants and Branch Leaders is 18. All Branch Leaders and Branch Assistants must go through the YAC Approvals Process and be enhanced Disclosure checked.

All new Branch Assistants and Leaders will need to fill in a YAC Volunteer Application Form and return it to YAC HQ.

Use this form to apply as a Branch Leader or Assistant, or to upgrade if you are currently a Helper with a Branch.

Helpers

It is likely that the helper category may be removed in line with changes to disclosure systems; the category has already been removed in Scotland. We would strongly encourage Branches to sign people up at Branch Assistant level. Branch Assistants agree their level of involvement with Branch Leaders and so there need be no difference between what the would have done as a Helper and what they would do as a Branch Assistant.

Helpers must be at least aged 17. Helpers are present during meetings to support the Leaders. They must not be left in sole charge of children and should not attend meetings more than 3 times a year. If they attend more regularly they should upgrade to become an Assistant (see above). Helpers are not put through the formal application process but they must fill in a registration form and return it to YAC HQ.

Disclosure Guidance

All new Assistant and Branch Leaders will also need to complete a CRB/Disclosure or an Access NI Disclosure check. The Disclosure application forms for this will be sent out by YAC HQ in York on receipt of an application form. This process involves ID Checks which will be carried out by your Branch Leader in England and Wales and your Branch Signatory in Northern Ireland. Both the completed Disclosure Application form and ID Check form will need to be returned to YAC HQ.

CRB Disclosure Guidance for England and Wales

Access NI Guidance for Northern Ireland

Disclosure Policies