Focus discussion: How can volunteer managers support volunteer safety?

Discussion took place on 18 September 2024

Helpful tips and information from network members.

How do volunteers let you know if they don't feel safe in their role?

A lot of organisations use Better Impact and Assemble. Both platforms can be set up for a volunteer to fill in a compulsory feedback field when the volunteer finishes a shift. This does require someone to check it regularly, but it will highlight any concerns or incidents. This can also help you to spot training gaps.

Initiate informal conversations. Some volunteers are more likely to mention an issue in conversation than feedback on a form.

How to make volunteers feel safe?

Work in pairs.

Some areas may require three. For example, if there is a risk that one may need to leave the room to get assistance.

Keep in proximity of staff members.

Risk assessments for individual roles.

Personal alarms if they are volunteering in a high-risk area.

How do volunteers access assistance if they are concerned or feel unsafe?

Volunteers may often feel that a situation isn’t urgent enough for them to ring someone for help. Develop a culture where volunteers feel comfortable reporting their concerns and have the appropriate avenues to do this.

Key contact numbers on lanyards or in a pack that’s easy to access.

How do you keep volunteers working in the community safe?

Screen referrals before a visit

Contact referral before any visit to mitigate any risks. For example, Covid.

Lone working devices.

Volunteers submit notes within 24 hours of a visit which are looked at by the service coordinator.

Some organisations use a system called DATIX for reporting incidents.

INCIDENT REPORTING ON DATIX

EAST SUSSEX HEALTHCARE DATIX TRAINING VIDEO

Training

Develop training that includes scenarios that volunteers may come across.

Conflict resolution training.

Bespoke training.

For volunteers working in the community, when to call 999.

Safeguard training.

Public facing volunteers

There are situations where the service user may take their frustration out on the volunteer, not recognising that the volunteer is just there to support them, not a decision maker for the organisation. What can you put in place to ensure that volunteers feel safe?

Arrange for clinical leads to be on site to deal with any queries.

Make it visible that the person is a volunteer with badges, lanyards or high viz.

Make sure that the volunteers know who to report any incidents to and that they will be followed up.

Volunteer role examples

Falls prevention volunteers

Falls Prevention Volunteers Delivery Manual

Restraint Debrief volunteers

Volunteering Service Guide: Restraint Debrief Service

More falls prevention and restraint debrief resources can be found here

More role descriptions and other useful information can be found here