Volunteer
Being a Home-Start Home Visiting Volunteer – FAQs
What kind of families would I be helping?
All kinds of families can find it hard to cope for all sorts of reasons, maybe because of the illness or disability of a child or because of post-natal illness, bereavement or loneliness. At Home-Start we support any parent with young children who asks for our help and our supported families, like our volunteers, come from all walks of life.
Can my support and friendship really make a difference?
All parents know that those early years before children go off to school are vital in a child’s life and at Home-Start we believe parents have the key role in creating a secure childhood for their children. It’s just that sometimes they need a bit of help...your help.
As a volunteer what would I actually do?
Usually you visit a family in their own home once a week for a couple of hours. How you help is really down to the family itself. Some might need someone to talk to… others may need more practical support with meal planning and cooking, reading to the children, going to the local park, or finding out about local services.
Do I need any qualifications to be a volunteer?
The only real ‘qualification’ is experience of bringing
up children. Friendliness and a caring attitude are
essential as well as an understanding of the pressures
of parenting. We value people who don’t judge others;
people who will respect the fact that they have been
invited into a family’s home; people who will treat a
mother or father as an equal.
Do volunteers get any training?
Yes, we give high priority to the recruitment, induction,
training and support of all our volunteers. You will
be supported during your training and throughout
your contact with families. Home-Start’s highly
rated Preparation Course is also accredited by the
Open College Network. If your scheme offers this
accreditation you will be able to gain credits through
formal recognition of your Home-Start training.
What would I get out of volunteering for Home-Start?
Knowing you have helped; a boost to your self-esteem and confidence; even a foot on the ladder towards a job.
Can I help without visiting families?
Yes. Schemes also need volunteers to help run family groups and social activities and to help raise funds. They also need volunteer trustees to help manage their work.
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Being a Home-Start Trustee – FAQs
What is a Trustee?
Trustees serve on the governing body (Board) of a charity and are responsible for directing the management and administration of the charity. They have a wide range of duties and are responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds. They are mindful that in promoting the objects of the scheme they hold it in trust for current and future families. Trustees are responsible for the governance of the scheme; staff for managing the day-to-day running of the scheme. A Trustee should not be tempted to do the staff’s job for them but maintain a critical distance to be able to set the direction and oversee the work objectively. Being a Trustee can be hard work but it is also rewarding, giving many opportunities for personal development and the chance to give something back to your local community.
What’s in a name?
A Trustee Board may also be called a management committee, a Board of directors or Trustees, but they all have the same responsibility, whatever the title. Home-Start schemes are currently run as either an incorporated charitable company governed by the Home-Start Memorandum and Articles of Association with a Board of Trustees or as an unincorporated charity governed by the Home-Start Constitution and managed by the Trustees of the Management Committee. Most Home-Start schemes are now incorporated. Both forms of governing documents require the scheme to work to the same Home-Start Standards and Methods of Practice and in accord with the Home-Start Agreement and quality standards.
What does a Board of Trustees do?
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the scheme’s vision, for leading the strategic direction, for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the performance and quality of the scheme and for ensuring that it operates within the Home-Start Agreement. It is also responsible for the scheme’s property, financial management and security, good governance, the promotion of Home-Start and for employing staff. The Board’s job is to ensure that the resources in the charity are used effectively to further the objects of Home-Start and for the purpose for which they were given.
What role does the Trustee Chair have?
The Chair plays a key role in providing leadership for the Board in deciding strategy and setting policy. As well as planning and chairing Trustee meetings, the Chair will also manage the induction of new Trustees. He/she takes the lead on the support and supervision of senior members of staff and will often represent the charity at external events and meetings. Some schemes may also have a Vice Chair to deputise for the Chair.
What does the Treasurer do?
The Treasurer will maintain an overview of the scheme’s affairs, ensuring that it is financially viable and that proper financial records and procedures are maintained. The Treasurer has a duty to provide the Trustee Board with up to date and understandable financial information about the scheme’s position in relation to the agreed budget. This should happen regularly and at least at each meeting of the Board. Many schemes outsource the payroll and bookkeeping, although this can be the Treasurer’s role. It is always the Treasurer’s role to oversee this function.
What are the responsibilities of the Secretary?
The Secretary in an unincorporated Home-Start scheme is an honourary position (in name only) and he/she can offer practical support to the Chair, by ensuring the smooth running and the administrative functions of the committee. An incorporated scheme is currently obliged to appoint a Company Secretary whose duties include ensuring the Board fulfils its legal and regulatory obligations. The Secretary is responsible for keeping accurate minutes and a record of decisions taken at Board meetings. It is common practice for the most senior staff member to act as the honourary Secretary or Company Secretary, although the role can also fall to a Trustee.
What kinds of skills & experience do you need to be a Home-Start Trustee?
Home-Start needs Trustees with a variety of skills and experience and from a wide range of backgrounds. No special qualifications are needed, but it is important to have good interpersonal skills, a practical approach to working with people, an understanding of the pressures facing parents and an interest in supporting your local community. You may bring a particular expertise to the Board, such as professional skills in finance, IT, business or personnel management or marketing and PR, but equally as important are listening and communication skills, commitment and common sense.
Can anyone be a Trustee?
Most people over 18 can be Trustees. There are some exceptions: where a person has been convicted of an offence involving deception, an undischarged bankrupt or someone who has previously been removed as a Trustee. All Trustees must have a criminal records check.
What’s the difference between the work of the Trustees & the work of paid staff?
The Trustee role is one of governance, which is about ensuring that things are done, but not necessarily about doing them. Governance is not the same as management, which is the day-today business of running the scheme – organising the delivery of the work programme, looking after the assets, supervising and directing the staff and volunteers. Much of this management role will be delegated by the Trustees to the staff, but the Trustees retain overall responsibility and must monitor the work.
Are Trustees paid for their work?
Trustees are volunteers, and under Home-Start’s model memorandum cannot receive payment. However, expenses such as travel and other costs incurred in the course of their duties are reimbursed.
How big a commitment is it?
Being a Trustee carries legal and financial responsibilities. It’s an important role, which will require time and commitment. Home-Start Trustees spend an average of 10 hours a month fulfilling their responsibilities.
What advice and support is available for new Trustees?
Every new Trustee has an induction programme within the scheme. They are also invited to a regional Home-Start induction day as well as to other national and regional training courses and events. A full range of support is available, including the Home-Start Policy & Practice Guide, regular legal updates and the support of a Regional Consultant.
Essential tasks for Trustees to engage in with their scheme.
| 1 | Determine, review and ensure the scheme’s mission and vision are in accordance with its charitable objectives |
| 2 | Engage in strategic planning for the scheme |
| 3 | Formulate, adopt and assist with the implementation of policy |
| 4 | Approve and monitor Home-Start’s services and activities |
| 5 | Ensure that there are adequate financial resources to meet the short, medium and long term needs of the scheme |
| 6 | Ensure that the scheme is adequately insured |
| 7 | Provide for effective fiscal oversight and ensure sound risk management |
| 8 | Select, supervise and support the senior member of staff and review their performance |
| 9 | Understand and respect the relationship between Trustees and staff |
| 10 | Act as a responsible employer |
| 11 | Act as an ambassador for Home-Start by positively and actively promoting Home-Start’s public image |
| 12 | Recruit, select and induct new Board members |
| 13 | Ensure that Home-Start business is carried out efficiently and effectively, in accordance with good practice |
| 14 | Act within the spirit of and in accordance with Home-Start’s equality of opportunity and diversity policies and procedures |
| 15 | Lead the scheme in accordance with the requirements of the Home-Start Agreement, Quality Assurance system and guidance in the Policy and Practice Guide. |
To find out more please contact us.