Strathclyde Students’ Union (SSU) will only approve Provider registrations from a voluntary group, charitable organisation, a statutory body, social enterprise or other not-for-profit organisation. Opportunities are approved to our database at the discretion of the Student Opportunities Team at SSU.

By registering as a Provider wishing to recruit volunteers through our services, you are entering a Service Standards Agreement with SSU.

The purpose of this Agreement is to set out the responsibilities of the parties involved in offering volunteering opportunities. The Agreement also constitutes a commitment to ensuring good practice in working with volunteers, and providing high quality, engaging and suitable volunteering opportunities.

1.1 What you can expect from SSU

 SSU will:

• Provide a free and professional brokerage service once the online Organisation Registration Form has been received and approved.
• Advertise volunteering opportunities on behalf of the organisation to all current Strathclyde University students
• Notify you via e-mail when a student has expressed an interest in your organisation’s volunteering opportunity
• Maintain regular contact with your organisation and the volunteer throughout the duration of the volunteer’s involvement, offering ongoing support
• Invite your organisation to relevant activities and events
• Notify your organisation of any changes in our volunteering brokerage service, including contact details, changes in policy and procedures, and any other changes relevant to the service
• Offer your organisation a promotional stall on campus at one point in the academic year, outside of Fresher’s Week (this must be requested by your organisation).
• Celebrate, recognise and reward the achievements of volunteers
• Encourage volunteers to record their volunteering achievements, including hours, skills and training courses on SSU’s online volunteering platform
• Where appropriate, provide support with Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) membership scheme applications for volunteers
• Offer student volunteer reimbursement for all reasonable travel expenses (upon receipt of the appropriate documentation) if not offered by your organisation, dependent on resource availability, and if applicable.
• Comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (2018) and treat personal information about your organisation and your volunteers confidentially

2.1 What we ask of all organisations recruiting volunteers through SSU

 The organisation will:

• Provide volunteering opportunities which are appropriate for students, where levels of expectation are realistic and achievable and where the voluntary activity will not replace the work of paid members of staff
• Have a named person who is responsible for the ongoing supervision and support of volunteers
• Provide a health and safety policy and ensure all volunteering activities and premises are risk assessed
• Provide an equality and diversity and/or equal opportunities policy
• Provide a volunteer policy that explains volunteers’ rights and responsibilities; or seek SSU’s advice on creating one immediately after accepting this Agreement
• Accept liability for volunteers, and ensure that you are able to meet any liabilities through a public liability insurance policy
• Offer reasonable adjustments wherever possible and practicable to volunteers with disabilities
• Contact any student who has expressed an interest in your opportunity within 7 days of receiving a notification
• Take responsibility for ascertaining a volunteer’s suitability for the volunteer role, and accept that the SSU cannot guarantee an individual's personal or professional credibility
• Notify SSU of any changes in your organisation relevant to the partnership, including contact details, application deadlines, changes in policy and procedures, and volunteer roles
• Maintain open and ongoing communication with SSU regarding volunteer recruitment and applications, and ensure that any issues and concerns are raised immediately
• Provide a comprehensive induction to volunteers, including a tour of the premises, introduction to colleagues, health and safety, tasks and role responsibilities
• Provide the necessary training for volunteers to carry out assigned tasks
• Do your best to encourage Strathclyde University student volunteers to record their volunteering achievements, including hours, skills and training courses, on SSU’s online volunteering platform
• Hold responsibility for undertaking Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership checks on volunteers if required
• Follow your organisation’s policies for the protection of children and adults at risk, and to encourage Strathclyde student volunteers to contact SSU if an allegation is made by or against a Strathclyde student volunteer
• Notify SSU and any Strathclyde students volunteering with your organisation of your reimbursement policy
• Expected to reimburse volunteers all reasonable out of pocket expenses, if applicable, upon receipt of the appropriate documentation.
• Ensure that information about your organisation and opportunities on the SSU website are accurate and up to date
• Comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (2018) and treat personal information about volunteers confidentially
• Ensure that all staff supporting volunteers are made aware of this agreement