Volunteering in Schools

It is our ambition to make sure anyone who volunteers for us feels valued, understood, and gains a great deal from the experience. We value the contribution of volunteers to our work in a school, leisure and sports setting, a library, museum, or elsewhere, you'll be making a positive difference.

Why do schools' welcome volunteers and what can volunteering offer you

• Volunteers can bring a different perspective to our work; often one that reflects the diverse views of the local school community.
• Volunteering provides opportunities for skills development.
• Volunteering can be a valuable pathway to employment or training opportunities.
• Volunteering can provide opportunities to meet like-minded people.
• Volunteering can provide an opportunity to be involved with something interesting, absorbing and rewarding.

Who can a be a volunteer

We welcome parent volunteers but also volunteers from our employee pool, partner organisations, outside agencies, volunteer adult helpers, senior pupils, university students and adult learners.

How we work with you

Due to the differing nature of volunteers the headteacher will ensure that the volunteer has been issued with a description of their roles. This will be drawn up in full consultation with the volunteer. This will clearly state:

• The tasks they have agreed to undertake.
• The person to whom they should report.
• Time period.
• Days and times, they will attend.
• An area for signing and dating for both parties

Parents as Volunteers

Some of the opportunities that have been identified include supporting schools with communication - working on school newsletters, websites or supporting social and celebration events. Skills sharing - supporting with pre/post school clubs and activities, careers events and supporting learning in specialist areas such as supporting classroom reading or library developments or attending educational visits.

Support for volunteers

The headteacher may be the main point of contact/supervisor depending on the setting, however, where this differs, volunteers will be assigned a mentor who will regularly discuss with the volunteer, their progress, and if appropriate, the achievement of any objectives.

Confidentiality is an important issue. Volunteers are expected to ensure confidentiality in respect of information relating to their work and Volunteers may also be asked to complete a PVG check, depending on the role. The cost of this will be covered by the school.

How to become a volunteer

If you would like to volunteer in your local school you should contact the school office, leaving your details. The Headteacher, or their Depute, will invite potential volunteers for an informal conversation. Following this, applicants will be informed, in a timely manner whether the match is considered suitable. There may be many reasons why volunteers are not recruited; for those who are not successful, feedback will be given by the Headteacher. If a match is not considered suitable by either side, individuals will be offered an opportunity to discuss the outcome and explore alternatives. In the absence of suitable matches, volunteers can be referred to a more appropriate volunteering situation through Volunteer Strategy - Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk), or to Welcome to Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway - Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway (tsdg.org.uk) as the experts in volunteer placement.

Further information

• Call: 030 33 33 3000
• Email: EducationandLearningParentalInvolvement@dumgal.gov.uk