Volunteers in School - Parents, Caregivers & General Community Helpers

Objective:
To provide for a safe and supportive learning environment which is enhanced by volunteer workers assisting in many facets of school life and learning.

Policy:

1. Volunteers will be encouraged to assist, when invited, in various aspects of the school. This ranges from Canteen Assistance to Classroom Assistance. Invitations may be extended by the teaching staff, members of the Administration Team or P&C Association in the case of the school canteen.
2. Volunteers activities are required to be ratified by the P&C Association. Volunteers may be required to hold a current Blue Card.
3. Volunteers are covered by a QCPCA Voluntary Workers’ Insurance Cover (Attachment1).
4. Volunteers are required to report to the office on arrival/departure (exception; tuckshop) to sign on, collect badge/sign off, return badge. (Attachment2).
5. All volunteers are required to wear a volunteer badge or may order a personalised name badge, through the school office, at their own expense (approx. $4.50).
6. Volunteers will be provided with a handbook detailing general procedures and policies. (Attachment3).
7. Volunteerswill abide by the Volunteer’s Code of Ethics (Attachment4).
8. Teachers will refer to the guide for "Working With Volunteers in the Classroom" (Attachment5).
9. Volunteers will receive recognition and thanks for their contribution.


ATTACHMENT 1 - INSURANCE
A voluntary worker is a member of the community, aged 18 or over, who performs duties or tasks in a voluntary capacity for or on behalf of the P&C Association. Voluntary worker’s insurance covers the worker against injury while engaged in voluntary work for the Association, including travel to and from home. Duties of voluntary workers should be noted in P&C Minutes (sometimes the workers may be named).

ATTACHMENT 2 - ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
On arrival volunteers report immediately to the office or canteen where they:
Sign the Volunteer Workers’ Sign On/Off Book
Collect/return a Volunteers’ Badge
Collect handbook
Report to the designated area.

ATTACHMENT 3 - HANDBOOKS
1. Canteen Helpers Sheet (provided by canteen)
2. School Handbook - Volunteers

To include:
1. Processes for signing in and out
2. Map of school
3. Staff list
4. Details - sexual harassment laws and student protection policies
5. Evacuation procedures
6. Containment procedures

ATTACHMENT 4 - VOLUNTEER’S CODE OF ETHICS
The 6 C's are needed to be an effective Classroom Volunteer:-
1. Care
  • Be interested in children.
  • Be warm, caring
  • Build positive relationships
2. Commitment
  • Give time to be a classroom helper.
  • Where possible, attend information sessions provided by the school.
  • Be prepared to make a regular commitment to attend the classroom.
  • Notify school of inability to attend as early as possible
  • Be punctual
3. Communication
  • Communicate with the teacher
  • Listen to the child
  • Share your own experiences
  • Help build the child’s self esteem
4. Confidentiality
  • Respect the confidential nature of work with the students
5. Content
  • Have life skills and experiences to share
6. Co-operation
  • Co-operate with the teacher to help the child


If we can keep the above points in mind, efficient and effective relationships will further develop in our school.





Page Updated: 03/06/2008.