About this unit

This unit is concerned with how you can enhance the contribution of volunteers by planning, organising, leading and assessing their work effectively. Volunteers may be part-time, full-time and/or residential based.

The first element focuses on planning and the need to involve volunteers at the earliest possible stage, taking into account both their abilities and aptitudes, and also their own motivations. It is important to ensure that the work plans are realistic, and that you communicate effectively to enhance personal and group commitment to the tasks.

The second element highlights the need to check that volunteers have the resources they need to carry out their work, and that all resources are used effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to influence your volunteers to improve their ways of working and come forward with ideas for using the resources better.

The third element sets out what is needed to lead volunteers in a confident, competent and effective way so as to bring out the best in them. You must be able to provide encouragement and support on a personal and technical level.

The fourth element is about assessing the work of volunteers and providing feedback. You will explain the purpose of the assessment and give opportunities to volunteers to respond to feedback.

 » Element CU90.1 Plan the work of volunteers

» Element CU90.2 Prepare resources for volunteers

» Element CU90.3 Lead the work of volunteers

» Element CU90.4 Assess the work of volunteers and provide feedback

Element CU90.1 Plan the work of volunteers

What you must be able to do:

1. give opportunities to volunteers to contribute to the planning and organisation of their work
2. produce plans that take into account the relevant factors of volunteering
3. produce plans and schedules that are realistic and achievable within organisational constraints
4. explain the plans to relevant others clearly and in sufficient detail
5. check that others understand the plans and their work activities at appropriate times
6. update your plans at regular intervals and take account of any changes

This standard covers:

A. factors:

• your team's objectives
• the volunteers whose work you are responsible for and their development needs
• constraints under which volunteers may be working
• match the motivational needs of your volunteers

What you must know and understand:

• the importance of communicating work priorities and objectives
• how to present work plans in a way that gains the support, motivation and commitment
• the need to regularly review work
• how to provide others with the opportunity to contribute to the planning and organisation of their work
• the types of organisational constraints which influence your planning
• how to plan work activities and your role and responsibilities in relation to this
• how to develop realistic and achievable work plans both in the short and medium term
• the objectives of the work and how your plans succeed in meeting these
• how to formulate a plan and objectives

Element CU90.2 Prepare resources for volunteers

What you must be able to do:

1. check that resources are suitable for the planned work
2. identify any problems with resources and take the appropriate action
3. allocate resources so that every volunteer can do the work to the required standard
4. make sure volunteers are using their resources efficiently and effectively
5. make sure volunteers are using resources according to organisational, legal and regulatory requirements
6. encourage volunteers to suggest ways of using resources more efficiently and effectively
7. keep accurate records relating to the use of resources

This standard covers:

A. resources:

• equipment and materials for the work
• written information
• time to carry out the work

What you must know and understand:

• how to check that the appropriate resources are available
• the procedures to follow for obtaining resources
• the reasons for reporting problems to your manager and seeking their assistance when necessary
• organisational, legal and regulatory standards for the resources that the work uses
• how to allocate resources in a way that enables the achievement of objectives
• the need to use resources efficiently and effectively and the implications for your organisation if it does not
• the impact your use of resources could have on the environment
• the reasons for getting others to suggest ways of improving the use of resources
• record keeping procedures and their importance

Element CU90.3 Lead the work of volunteers

What you must be able to do:

1. make volunteers feel welcome and introduce any new volunteers to each other and the rest of the team
2. provide volunteers with clear instructions on tasks they have to do
3. correctly demonstrate the tasks and check that volunteers understand what is expected
4. let the volunteers practise the tasks under competent supervision until they can consistently achieve the standard on their own
5. identify and correct any mistakes in a way that supports their self-confidence and praise them when they perform tasks correctly
6. identify volunteers who could take on new responsibilities and agree what development would be appropriate to their needs
7. identify volunteer work that does not meet agreed standards and take the appropriate action
8. keep clear and up to date records according to organisational requirements
9. make sure all instructions and tasks are in line with organisational and legal requirements

This standard covers:

A. instructions:

• what the results should be
• how they should perform the tasks
• the standard they must achieve

What you must know and understand:

• the induction process for new volunteers, especially health and safety aspects
• the facilities and basic work routines in your workplace that volunteers need to know about
• the tasks that you need to develop your volunteers in
• how to instruct volunteers and demonstrate tasks clearly and correctly
• how to make sure volunteers understand what they have to do
• the reasons for making sure volunteers continue to be supervised until they can achieve the standard required
• who could provide competent supervision
• how to correct mistakes without undermining self-confidence
• the importance of recognising the potential for volunteers to take on new responsibilities
• the development opportunities available to volunteers
• the reasons for agreeing development needs with the volunteer
• the organisational and legal requirements that are relevant to the tasks the volunteers are being developed to undertake

Element CU90.4 Assess the work of volunteers and provide feedback

What you must be able to do:

1. explain the purpose of assessment clearly to all involved
2. give opportunities to volunteers to assess their own work
3. carry out assessments at times most likely to maintain and improve effective performance
4. make your assessments objectively against clear and agreed criteria
5. provide feedback to volunteers in a situation and manner most likely to maintain and improve motivation
6. provide feedback which is clear and is based on an objective assessment
7. provide feedback which recognises team members achievements and provide constructive suggestions and encouragement for improving their work
8. show respect for the individuals involved
9. treat all feedback to individuals and teams confidentially
10. give opportunities to team members to respond to feedback and recommend how they could improve their work

This standard covers:

A. feedback:

• through discussions with volunteers
• written communications

What you must know and understand:

• how to communicate effectively with others
• the reasons for being clear about the purpose of assessment
• how to assess the work of volunteers and your role and responsibilities in relation to this
• the reasons for providing opportunities to volunteers to assess their own work
• how to assess the work of volunteers
• the principles of fair and objective assessment of work and how to ensure this is achieved
• how to provide feedback to volunteers on their performance based on assessment
• the principles of confidentiality when providing feedback
• how to motivate volunteers and gain their commitment by providing feedback
• how to provide feedback and show respect for those involved
• why it is necessary to provide constructive suggestions on how performance can be improved
• how to give those involved the opportunity to provide suggestions on how to improve their work

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