Guidance Notesfor Completingyour

CONFIDENTIAL

Guidance Notesfor Completingyour

Volunteer Application Form

We will base our decision on the information given on your application form.We expect you find our form as simple and easy to complete as possible but please feel free to contact us for assistance.

Getting it right from the word go:

If you’re completing your application form by hand, write as neatly as you can and make sure the document is not stained or creased before submitting it
Whether you plan to submit your form by post or email, read it before you send it to ensure you tell us as clear as possible you meet the criteria for the role. You may want to ask someone else to proofread it and check it for you
We have listed on the volunteer role description the qualities and attributes we expect candidates have in order to carry out the role. Your application form should demonstrate how you fit this description
Once you are satisfied with your form, sign it and submit it before the closing date. Bear in mind that applications received after this time will not be considered(electronic signatures are accepted only if you submit your form by email)
Pleasealso complete our equal opportunities monitoring form to help us monitoring the implementation of our Equality and Diversity policy. The information you provide us will be treated as confidential and detached from your volunteer application form
We will let you know once we have receivedyour completed application form. If you haven’t heard from us 28 days after the closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted.

References:

We cannot accept recommendation letters. Please provide the names of two people who can comment on your suitability for the volunteering role you are applying for.We must have obtained your satisfactory references before making any official offer of a role to you
If you haven’t worked or volunteered before,provide the name of some one that knows you in an academic or aprofessional capacity and can comment on your suitability for the role.

Criminal Convictions- Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (exemptions) Order 1975:

For roles involving direct contact with children or vulnerable adults, appointed candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced criminal records check
Failure to disclose any convictions for criminal offences, cautions, reprimands or warnings will lead to the immediate withdrawal of any volunteer role offer made
A criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from volunteering. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence
Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be considered only in relation to an application for volunteer roles which the order applies.

Volunteer Application Form

Volunteer role applied for:

Personal Details

Title (Dr, Miss, Mr, Mrs, Ms,etc.):Surname:

Forename:Female Male

Address

Post Code

Mobile NumberHome/ Work Number

EmailDate of Birth

Are you entitled to volunteer in the UK? Yes / No
If you are a UK citizen, Refugee or an Asylum Seeker you are entitled to volunteer. Most EU citizens can also volunteer.If you are not a EU Citizen,we will need to check that your visa allows you to volunteer in the UK.
Have you ever applied to Housing for Women for a volunteering role before? Yes/ No
When? / Role?
Are you currently or have you been previously employed byHousing for Women? Yes/ No
From To: / Job title?

How did you hear about us?

Volunteer Centre (specify)
______/ Word of Mouth / Recruitment agency (specify)______
Our Website / Charity Job / Other (specify)
______

Availability

Will you be able to volunteer for six months with Housing for Women? Yes/ No

Please state the days that you are available to volunteer

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
A.M
P.M

Which other areas of volunteering are you interested in:

4.a Face to Face Support Roles
(female candidates only)
Mentoring
Children’s Services
Refuge Support / 4.b Office Roles
Finance/ HR /Admin
Maintenance
Fundraising
Housing Management

Briefly tell us what are your motivations for volunteering at Housing for Women?

Based on the Role Description, what skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience do you have that are relevant tothis role? (E.g. ability to speak another language, training, work, volunteer orlife experience)

Please return your signed and completed form to Maria Galan| Volunteer Co-Ordinator

Email: |Housing for Women, 6th Floor, Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9SP| 020 3794 4798 | 077 1146 9094

CONFIDENTIAL

References

Please provide the names and contact details of two refereesthat know you in a formal capacity i.e. employer, key worker, tutor, volunteer manager, etc.

7.a Name: / 7.b Name:
Address:
Tel:
Email: / Address:
Tel:
Email:
How do you know this person? / How do you know this person?
When did you last have contact with this person? / When did you last have contact with this person?
7.cAre you related to any board member/ employee of Housing for Women? Yes/ No
If YES, please give details:
Name: / Job Title: / Relationship to you:

Please be advised that all volunteer role offers are subject to satisfactory references

Criminal Convictions and Disqualifications

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 contains certain classes of employment/ volunteer involvement where a person can be asked to disclose spent convictions.
Face to Face Support Roles fall within that order and applicants are required to detail below previous convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, whether or not they are spent.
A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from volunteering but not disclosing that you have been convicted of criminal offence or received a caution, reprimand or warning may lead to withdrawal of any volunteer role offer. Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidenceand will be considered only in relation to an application for volunteer roles which the order applies.You may provide additional information in writing and in confidence or indicate that you wish discuss in more detail if invited for interview.
Failure to complete this section of the application form may result in the applicant not being shortlisted or invited to attend an interview
8.aPlease give details of all offences of which you have ever been convicted. If you have none, please write “None” below.
Date: ______
Details of convictions, cautions or bind overs penalty:
8.bAre there any matters pending? Yes / No
If ‘Yes’ Please give details:
8.d Please tick the boxes below to authorise Housing for Women to carry out a Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check if deemed necessary
I hereby consent to the DBS process

Declaration

I declare that all the information I have given on this form is complete, correct and accurate, that I am not banned or disqualified from working with children and/or vulnerable adults nor subject to any sanctions or conditions on my employment imposed by a regulatory body or the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
I have not intentionally withheld any facts which might unfavourably affect my application and I understand that to knowingly give false information, or to omit information, could result in the withdrawal of any offer of appointment, or my dismissal at any time in the future.
I have not canvassed (either directly or indirectly) any board member or employee of Housing for Women and will not do so.
Print Name: / Signed: / Date:

We take our duty of care to the people who receive services from us very seriously. This intensive procedure can take some time; however, we are certain you will appreciate the reasons why such stringent checks are made, and ask you to bear with us whilst they are completed.

Successful candidates will be contacted within four weeks of the closing date

Please return your signed and completed form to Maria Galan| Volunteer Co-Ordinator

Email: |Housing for Women, 6th Floor, Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9SP| 020 3794 4798 | 077 1146 9094