By Emily Bridger, Ansvar Insurance.
This article was amended on 15 June after feedback from readers.
A narrated version of this blog is available at the bottom of the page
The role of a volunteer is ever-evolving, the pressures are often high, and the recognition is all too often lacking. Volunteers are truly the lifeblood of a charitable organisation, and they need to be treated like the asset they are. In this two-part article we will be discussing some of the risks associated with caring for volunteers, and what can be done to mitigate them; along with some practical tips to maintain a thriving network of volunteers to ensure the longevity, efficiency and effectiveness of your charity. Part 1 of this article will focus on some of the main risks you should be aware of when it comes to volunteers. Part 2 will discuss best practices for an effective and efficient team of volunteers.
Why is managing risk important?
Managing risk is essential when it comes to running a charity, having appropriately managed risks in all areas of your organisation, in particular your volunteers, can help ensure that:
1. Incidents don’t happen in the first place
2. If they do, that you have the right processes in place to get back on your feet as quickly as possible
A report in December 2022, by Pro Bono Economics found that “Almost a quarter of adults in the UK intend to formally volunteer in 2023,” … “If that intention to volunteer translated into actual volunteering, it would mean an additional 5.7 million people volunteering next year who are not volunteering today.” Time will tell if that prediction was correct, but it is very reassuring to see this intention, following a few difficult years for the third sector.
Supporting others for no financial gain can bring many positive benefits, not just to the organisation and community they serve, but to the volunteers themselves, offering a great sense of service and feeling part of something bigger than themselves, which is so important in a world where many only feel connected to others via a screen, but otherwise spend their days in solitude.
If your charity is benefitting from an increased influx of kind-hearted individuals who want to help make a difference for those in need, you’ll appreciate the added logistical pressure on you as an organisation.
Possible risks associated with volunteers
As much as we all want to believe the best in people, some individuals may have ulterior motives to their application, wanting to infiltrate the charity in order to gain access and trust: to take advantage.
Make sure you check references and run appropriate checks (like a DBS) to make sure they don’t have a criminal record that could hurt your cause. A criminal record shouldn’t always be a reason not to accept an application, but it’s important to be aware of any history of criminal activity, especially if volunteers are working with vulnerable people or have access to your charity’s cash. It’s important to note that not all voluntary roles are eligible for enhanced/standard checks.
Inadequate performance (whether accidental or not) in a volunteer’s duty could result in harm, both to themselves and others around them. Harm may be physical or reputational, along with any emotional damage it may cause along the way. Even the mere whisper of inappropriate action by a charity can have catastrophic PR implications.
Issues potentially caused by volunteers could be lost or damaged property, sharing false information, taking advantage of those in a vulnerable state, misappropriation of funds, and abusing power, among others.
All types of volunteer abuse should be taken very seriously, and appropriate discipline processes, and volunteer agreements should be in place already; if they aren’t, now is the time.
Signed agreements are key for establishing boundaries, clarifying appropriate behaviours and giving a clear message that certain actions will not be tolerated, and suitable methods of regulation will be enforced.
Identifying your risks
Risk management is a headline topic of the 2017 Charity Governance Code. The Charity Commission also has its own guidance – Charities and Risk Management (CC26) which provides some useful templates and checklists. You may find it very helpful to create a risk register. Charity insurer Ansvar has a toolkit on its website which you can download and use for free. These are all great reference points.
Volunteer risk will vary from charity to charity, so understanding your specific risks is key. The impact on your organisation’s objectives, along with the consequences that may arise are something you should have a clear view of.
Low probability, and high impact volunteer risks should be your biggest concern. Even if it feels counter-intuitive. These risks will have a much worse effect than a ‘high probability, low impact’ risk that can be mitigated or easily fixed. In saying this, please don’t ignore the small risks; all too often, larger incidents occur due to a series of smaller ones happening over time.
Covering your volunteers
We highly recommend reading this volunteers risk guide for more information on risk management, however, it is also imperative that you have the correct insurance cover in place, too. Speak to your insurance broker to discuss your policy and whether you are adequately insured, not only for your volunteers but for every aspect of risk your charity may be exposed to, such as property damage, business interruption, and cyber-attacks.
Part 2 will be available soon, where we will discuss best practices for an effective and efficient team of volunteers.
Narrated by a member of the ACEVO staff
