Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations which involve volunteers in their work. The Standard enables organisations to comprehensively review their volunteer management, and also publicly demonstrates their commitment to volunteering.

The Standard is managed locally by the lead volunteer development agency of each individual country of the UK.

In 1995 the Wandsworth Volunteer Bureau in South London was concerned that they had no way of knowing whether volunteers they sent to other organisations received a good standard of management. With quality standards becoming commonplace it was felt to be timely and appropriate for the development of a Standard, Investing in Volunteers, which would relate specifically to the management of volunteers.

To take the idea forward the three neighbouring London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton and Merton joined with Wandsworth to form the Wandle Valley Partnership, and by 1998 funding was raised to run a three year pilot to develop the Standard. The idea for the Standard was based on the four areas of volunteer management: Planning for volunteer involvement; recruiting volunteers; selecting and matching volunteers; and supporting and retaining volunteers.

The pilot was a success with 60 organisations being awarded the Standard, and an independent report recommended that the Standard be rolled out across the UK.

In 2003 guardianship of the Investing in Volunteers Standard passed to the UK Volunteering Forum, and funding was raised from GUS Charitable Trust, the Home Office and the Department of Health to launch the Standard in the UK.

The four organisations which are managing this process are:

Find out more information here: iiv.investinginvolunteers.org.uk/

The Ten Indicators in Brief

The Investing in Volunteers Standard comprises ten Indicators. The ten Indicators have been developed to cover all the aspects of volunteer management.

Indicator 1.

There is an expressed commitment to the involvement of volunteers, and recognition throughout the organisation that volunteering is a two-way process, which benefits volunteers and the organisation.

Indicator 2.

The organisation commits appropriate resources to working with volunteers, such as money, management, staff time and materials.

Indicator 3.

The organisation is open to involving volunteers who reflect the diversity of the local community, in accordance with the organisation's stated aims, and operates procedures.

Indicator 4.

The organisation develops appropriate roles for volunteers in line with its aims and objectives, and which are of value to the volunteers and create an environment where they can develop.

Indicator 5.

The organisation is committed to ensuring that, as far as possible, volunteers are protected from physical, financial and emotional harm arising from volunteering.

Indicator 6.

The organisation is committed to using fair, efficient and consistent recruitment procedures for all potential volunteers.

Indicator 7.

The organisation takes a considered approach to taking up references and official checks which is consistent and equitable for all volunteers, bearing in mind the nature of the work.

Indicator 8.

Clear procedures are put into action for introducing new volunteers to the organisation, its work, policies, practices and relevant personnel.

Indicator 9.

Everybody in the organisation is aware of the need to give volunteers recognition.

Indicator 10.

The organisation takes account of the varying support needs of volunteers.