Volunteers leave Safe families for a variety of different reasons. When this happens, the CVM should make sure the volunteer leaves feeling valued and appreciated and ascertain the reason for leaving.
- CVM should use their judgement as to how to thank the volunteer and hear from them about their decision to leave. This may be through a phone call or meeting them in person.
- Make sure the volunteer has been thanked for their involvement and sent a card of appreciation, so their volunteer experience finishes well.
- Make sure the volunteer is ‘Switched Off’ on the database.
- Make an explanatory note including the volunteer's reason for leaving on the database.
How to approach calls to volunteers who are considering leaving:
Start off by acknowledging their desire to step down, don't just jump straight into convincing them to stay! Maybe express sadness at the possibility of losing them (referring to a positive support experience where they got on really well and made a difference is a nice touch) but also recognise that things have been tricky/disheartening and wouldn't want them to feel obligated to stay on.
Do the research before calling/meeting with them so you can reflect on previous support and why it might have led to them wanting to step down (e.g non engagement, difficult or upsetting family circumstances). Ultimately this is about belonging - seeing, hearing and understanding how the volunteer has got to this point and recognising what they need. Tuning in to what they are saying, you can usually hear if they want to stay on deep down and they've just had a run of bad experiences. Or if it is clear they need to step back, honouring that and not pushing for them to stay. It's about discernment really and being sensitive to what they are saying (or not saying)
Let them know that we can adjust preferences and make notes on the DB so that they have family placements better suited to them
If they have a recert coming up in the next year, you could suggest they stay on until then and re-evaluate when recert time comes round. If they have an end date it might make them feel less pressured and hopefully by the time recert is due they are feeling more positive about volunteering!
If it’s about a family not engaging, lots of reassurance that it isn't personal, the families we deal with struggle sometimes with commitment/trust etc.