Changes to your Branch Team

This section contains forms and guidance for volunteers who are changing roles within a branch, transferring to a new branch, leaders who are leaving and leaders who are returning Volunteers Upgrading from Helper to Branch Assistant or Branch Leader

Volunteers Upgrading from Helper to Branch Assistant or Branch Leader

For Helpers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales who wish to upgrade to Branch Assistant or Branch Leader will need to fill in a YAC Volunteer Application Form and complete a Disclosure check.

Volunteers Upgrading from Branch Assistant to Branch Leader

If the volunteer is continuing at the Branch but taking on the Leader role, YAC HQ in York will need to be notified.

Volunteers downgrading

YAC can be extremely time-consuming and we realise that it is not always possible for volunteers to continue to commit the same amount of time to a Branch. If a person wishes to lessen their involvement, they simply need to inform YAC HQ in York of their intentions. We will then make the necessary changes to our records.

Volunteers transferring Branch

If a volunteer is transferring to a different YAC Branch without a gap, they simply need to inform YAC HQ in York of the change and supply new contact details; we will update our records. See below for the procedure for volunteers transferring Branch when there has been a gap.

Volunteers returning to YAC

People often return to YAC after a break. A returning volunteer who has been away from YAC for less than three years will need to fill in a new YAC Volunteer Application Form; however, we will not call for new references. Please note that there are different Volunteer Application Forms for Scottish Volunteers (See forms below).

Where a volunteer has been away from YAC for more than three years and is applying to be a Branch Assistant or Branch Leader either at the same Branch or with a different/new one, we will call for references and ask them to undergo a new Disclosure check. If a Leader Leaving Form was not completed by the individual and we are therefore unsure of how long ago they left, references will be called for.

If a leader is shifting between England, Northern Ireland and Wales to, or from, Scotland then the volunteer will need to go through the appropriate Disclosure Body check.

Volunteers leaving

It is very important that YAC HQ in York is notified as soon as possible if an adult at any level leaves your Branch. The volunteer should fill in a Leader Leaving Form. In the case of a sole Branch Leader leaving, the Branch can continue to operate whilst a new Leader is sought if there are a minimum of two other active Assistant Leaders; YAC HQ in York will work hard to help the Branch through any such changes. If the Branch will not have enough Leaders to continue, please see the Leaders’ Handbook page 29 for advice regarding what to do next.