The Volunteer Approval Panel is used to assess the suitability of all volunteers. It is the final stage of the volunteer process to ensure everything has been carried out effectively and thoroughly. The panel is convened by the CVT and chaired by the local PD/PM or the SCVM however the final decision to approve volunteers is held as the responsibility of the whole panel.
It is the panel’s role to:
- Ensure the approval process has been carried out effectively and thoroughly.
- Explore any situations or issues that might have had, or continue to have, an impact on the volunteer. Such discussion should result in database Approval Notes which record any decisions around future matching and includes recording if the volunteer will need more support to start with.
- Come to a decision, through discussion, on whether an applicant is suitable to be a volunteer or for certain types of volunteering roles.
- Mandate the panel chair to record decisions and notes about the volunteer including the rationale for the panel decision.
Who sits on approval panel:
- The Chair (PD or SCVM): the role of the chair is to facilitate discussion and lead the panel to a decision.
- Expert/Critical eye (SFSM or FSTL): the role of Critical eye is to have been through all the volunteer files and raise questions and comment as appropriate.
- Presenting CVM: The role of the CVM is to verbally present an overview of the volunteer, to raise concerns/areas to explore and aim to respond to questions raised.