Introduction
Achieving the Investing in Volunteers Award
How can I register?
What support is available?
How much does it cost?
What is the role of Wales Council for Voluntary Action
Introduction
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) is managing Investors in Volunteers in Wales. The standards, assessment and accreditation are the same for every organisation using Investors in Volunteers, wherever they are in the UK. There will be some slight differences in the way the standard is managed in each country.
To access Investing in Volunteers through WCVA your organisation needs to be based in Wales and have its registered address and head office based here.
There are two options for organisations interested in Investing in Volunteers and based in Wales:
- Option 1: Organisations wishing to use Investing in Volunteers as a framework and model for improving and developing their practices.
Those choosing Option 1 will be able to download the standards free of charge, using them as a guide to good practice. They may at any time choose to be assessed to gain Investors in volunteers status by proceeding to Option 2.
Download the Investing in Volunteers Standard.
- Option 2: Organisations wishing to achieve accredited status and achieve the Investing in Volunteers award.
Organisations are required to register online, in order to gain access to all relevant parts of the website.
Then follow the steps described under ‘Achieving the Investing in Volunteers Award.
Achieving the Investing in Volunteers Award in Wales
For those wanting to achieve the Investing in Volunteers Award, the following ten steps will take you through the process:
Step One: Register as an Investing in Volunteers organisation
Following registration, you will be contacted by an adviser who will give you information on how to begin working towards Investing in Volunteers. You will be able to use the words ‘Working towards the Investing in Volunteers standard’ on your literature.
Step Two: Self assessment
Use the self-assessment checklist to assess your practices against ten indicators to see how they measure up. (You can download this from the ‘restricted access’ section of the website to which you will get a password on registering for Investing in Volunteers).
Step Three: Development
Identify the steps you need to take to meet the standards. The web site will give you access to resources to help you address any gaps to achieve the standards. Should you want additional help or information, your adviser will be able to assist you.
Step Four: Develop the portfolio
Begin to collect evidence, materials and documents to build your portfolio of examples of good practice for assessment.
Step Five: Apply for Assessment
When you are ready, WCVA will appoint an assessor. You will be asked to submit three selected pieces of evidence. The assessor will discuss with you arrangements for the assessment, which will include interviews with key personnel, including staff, volunteers, trustees and / or committee members.
Step Six: Assessment Report
After your assessment visit, you will receive an oral report from the assessor telling you whether or not you have met the Investing in Volunteers standard. A written report will follow including recommendations for development, if necessary.
Step Seven: Verification
If your organisation meets the Investing in Volunteers standard, the recommendation will then go to the Quality Assurance Panel for verification. If your organisation does not meet the Investing in Volunteers standard, advice will be available to help identify further action.
Step Eight: UK awarding body
The Quality Assurance Panel endorses the assessor’s decision and makes a recommendation to the UK Volunteering Forum Awarding Panel.
Step Nine: Receiving the Award
You will receive the Investing in Volunteers Award and be able to use the Investing in Volunteers logo on your letterheads and publications.
Step Ten: Maintenance of the standard
Your organisation will be encouraged to develop a programme of continual improvement and evaluation to ensure that the good practice developed during the Investing in Volunteers process is sustained, ready for re-assessment in three years.
How can I register for Investing in Volunteers?
1. Discuss Investing in Volunteers with all members in the organisation, from trustees/committee members, staff and volunteers, to make sure they all support the decision to go for the award.
2. Press the ‘Register Interest’ button on the top right corner of the screen and register your organisation on-line.
3. You will be sent a questionnaire, which should be completed and forwarded to us at iiv@wcva.org.uk
4. An invoice for the registration fee will be sent and once payment is received, you will be contacted by an adviser who will discuss with you how to take things further.
What support is available?
You will be able to access many kinds of support to help you achieve the Investors in Volunteers award, some of which will be free, and others have a cost.
- The Frequently Asked Questions section may contain the answers you are looking for.
- Search the Managing Volunteers section of WCVA’s website www.wcva.org.uk/volunteering for model policies, information sheets and advice.
- Go to the Investing in Volunteers Good Practice library which contains a range of useful advice and information.
The following are available from WCVA publications
- The Safer Volunteering Guidebook - £3 for WCVA members, £5 for others.
- The Complete Volunteer Manager - a new web based guide to everything you need to know about volunteer management - £8 for WCVA members, £12 for non-members.
- Recruiting Volunteers: a manual of good practice - a useful tool for planning volunteer recruitment and as a framework for professional development - £5.00 to WCVA members, £7.50 for non-members.
Training
From 2008, all County Voluntary Councils will be offering training in Volunteer Management.
For WCVA training courses visit www.wcva.org.uk/training
WCVA is also able to develop bespoke training to help you to meet the Investing in Volunteers Standard. Contact iiv@wcva.org.uk if you want discuss this option.
Specialist Support
If, after you have completed the self assessment checklist, you identify the need for one to one specialist help and support, contact your WCVA adviser. S/he will be able to advise on how you can get help to produce a development plan and to come up with a programme to meet the actions identified in your plan.
Some organisations may wish to engage the services of a coach or mentor to assist in developing their practices to meet the Investing in Volunteers standards. These may cost in the region of £250 - £300 a day.
Total package costs: Organisations may want apply for a total package of support to help them achieve the standard. If interested contact us iiv@wcva.org.uk
How much does it cost in Wales?
The cost of achieving Investors in Volunteers in Wales depends on the nature and size of the organisation.
Registration costs:
- voluntary organisation £75
- statutory organisation £300
Assessment costs*
- voluntary organisation £300 per day
- statutory organisation £500 per day
* Assessment will normally take one day. For large organisations (more than 100 volunteers) or those with complex structures or wide geographical dispersal it may take two days or more.
What is the role of Wales Council for Voluntary Action
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) www.wcva.org.uk is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in Wales. It has a membership of over 1000, and has a Unit dedicated to the support and development of volunteering. WCVA is a member of the UK Volunteering Forum and is the host organisation for Investors in Volunteers in Wales.
