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Training Volunteers

Induction and training for volunteers ensures they are able to carry out their role as effectively as possible. Find out how you can make your volunteers a valued part of the team.

All police support volunteers should receive induction training when they take up their placement. This will ensure they understand the organisation and the boundaries in which they are operating and are welcomed into the force.

Induction may include:

  • Introduction to the force Volunteer with officer
  • How police support volunteers fit into the wider organisation
  • Introduction to relevant policies and procedures
  • Employee/volunteer relations
  • Accepted standards of conduct
  • Supervision and support structures
  • Practicalities such as insurance, payment of expenses, etc
  • Welfare issues
  • Availability of training
  • Equal opportunities and diversity.

Police support volunteers may also require role-specific training, which will enable them to perform their duties more effectively.

Note: training must be relevant to the role, if not, it could be construed as a 'consideration' and should be avoided.

Roles requiring high levels of training and supervision may be inappropriate for volunteers to undertake unless a regular and sustained commitment is given.

National Occupational Standards

The links below will take you to relevant documents produced by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. These are part of their draft National Occupational Standards which are currently being developed.

 Manage the induction of volunteers
 Induct volunteers

Useful Documents

These documents are supplied as examples of good practice by participating forces and Volunteering England, we remain grateful to our colleagues in the Met and Thames Valley Police.

 Induction and Training
 Example of Confidentiality guidance for volunteers
 Overview of CoSe Craft training package for Front Counter volunteers