IiV Indicator 1

There is an expressed commitment to the involvement of volunteers, and recoginition throughout the organisation that volunteering is a two-way process, which benefits volunteers and the organisation.

2. Learning and development is planned to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

Managers demonstrate the team’s goals which will benefit both the individual and organisation.

Can people (volunteers) describe how they are involved in identifying their learning and development needs and the activities planned to meet them?

6. People’s contributions to the organisation is recognised and valued.

Time is designated in order for all personnel to give their feedback and contributions towards the organisation. This can be done through:

• Worker Suggestion Programmes
• Awards Programmes
• Newsletters and Web Articles

Can people (volunteers) describe how their contribution to the organisation is recognised and valued?

7. People are encouraged to take ownership and responsibility by being involved in decision-making.

Can people (volunteers) describe how they are encouraged to be involved in decision making that effects the performance of individuals, teams and the organisation at a level that is appropriate to their role.

9. Investment in people improves the performance of the organisation.

Can people (volunteers) describe how learning and development has improved their performance, the performance of their team and that of the organisation?

IiV Indicator 2

The organisation commits appropriate resources to working with volunteers, such as money, management, staff time and materials.

4. The capabilities managers need to lead, manage and develop people effectively are clearly defined and understood.

People (volunteers) should be able to describe what their manager should be doing to lead, manage and develop them effectively.

5. Managers are effective in leading, managing and developing people.

Can people (volunteers) describe why their managers are effective at leading and managing them effectively?

The organisation’s accounts should show a training and development budget for volunteers.

9. Investment in people improves the performance of the organisation.

Time, money and resources are used in learning and development. They are shown in a number of documents e.g. annual report, reports to the Management Committee/Board.

10. Improvements are continually made to the way people are managed and developed.

Training and development plans produced for volunteers and for the organisation.

Evidence of changes in management procedures.

IiV Indicator 3

The organisation is open to involving volunteers who reflect the diversity of the local community, in accordance with the organisation’s stated aims, and operates procedures.

No Criteria

IiV Indicator 4

The organisation develops appropriate roles for volunteers in line with its aims and objectives, and which are of value to the volunteers and create an environment where they can develop.

3. Strategies for managing people are designed to promote equality of opportunity in the development of the organisation’s people.

Appropriate personal development plans are in place to develop volunteers.

5. Managers are effective in leading, managing and developing people.

From the initial induction managers will ensure the volunteer’s learning and development are catered for.

People (volunteers) can give examples of how they receive constructive feedback on their performance regularly and when appropriate.

10. Improvements are continually made to the way people are managed and developed.

People (volunteers) can give examples of improvements that have been made to the way the organisation manages and develops its people.

IiV Indicator 5

The organisation is committed to ensuring that, as far as possible, volunteers are protected from physical, financial and emotional harm arising from volunteering.

No Criteria

IiV Indicator 6

The organisation is committed to using fair, efficient and consistent recruitment procedures for all potential volunteers.

No Criteria

IiV Indicator 7

The organisation takes a considered approach to taking up references and official checks which is consistent and equitable for all volunteers, bearing in mind the nature of the work.

No Criteria

IiV Indicator 8

Clear procedures are put into action for introducing new volunteers to the organisation, its work, policies, practices and relevant personnel.

8. People learn and develop effectively

Can people (volunteers) who are new to the organisation and their role, describe how their induction has helped them perform effectively?

IiV Indicator 9

Everybody in the organisation is aware of the need to give volunteers recognition.

6. People’s contributions to the organisation is recognised and valued.

Can people (volunteers) describe how their contribution to the organisation is recognised and valued?

IiV Indicator 10

The organisation takes account of the varying support needs of volunteers.

3. Strategies for managing people are designed to promote equality of opportunity in the development of the organisation’s people.

People (volunteers) believe managers are genuinely committed to making sure everyone has appropriate and fair access to the support they need. There is equality of opportunity for them to learn and develop which will improve their performance.

Investing in Volunteers

Suitable for any organisation that involves volunteers. Organisations should be involved in: recruiting, selecting, matching, supporting and retaining volunteers.

IIP

Suitable for any organisation that manages people, paid and voluntary. It is suitable for any size or type of organisation, although organisations of fewer than 5 people may not gain the maximum advantages from this accreditation.

Investing in Volunteers

The standard covers the whole organisation. It can be achieved by parts of an organisation so long as they can be seen to be discreet and self managed parts of the whole.

IIP

The standard covers the whole organisation although can be achieved by parts of an organisation so long as they can be seen to be discreet and self managed parts of the whole.

Investing in Volunteers

The standard is run by the national Volunteering Development Agencies in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland. Volunteering England manages the standard in England. The UK Volunteering Forum is the standards Awarding Body.

IIP

It is run by Investors in People UK nationally. Day to day delivery is contracted out to Regional Agencies. Chambers of Commerce and Business Links currently provide free support to organisations seeking to achieve this standard, however, this is under review.

Investing in Volunteers

Contact Volunteering England
Tel: 0207 520 8982

www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk

On the home page you'll also find links for contacts in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

IIP

Contact Investors in People
Telephone 020 7467 1946
Email: information@iipuk.co.uk

www.investorsinpeople.co.uk

Investing in Volunteers

All information is supplied on-line with a password protected section for fully registered organisations. Forms and documents are downloadable word documents. A best practice library with downloadable resources is also available.

IIP

Information relating to the standard is provided on-line and by hard copy. Detailed and overview documents are available.

Information is available from your local Business Link who will give you advice on how to get the process started.  There is no initial application form.

Investing in Volunteers

The cost will depend on the size and complexity of your organisation. To obtain a quote from the IiV Team, please "Register Interest" on the website and complete the questionnaire.
Prices start at £1,500 - £2,000 for small grassroots organisations. The IiV Package fee includes:

• An Introductory Workshop with your assigned Assessor
• Feedback on Self Assessment from your Assessor
• A Final Assessment visit - interviews with volunteers, staff and senior manager
• A full written Final Report suggesting areas for further development and highlighting areas of excellent practice
• The UK recognised Investing in Volunteers standard - use of the IiV logo on stationery, a wall plaque and certificates
• Subscription to the Investing in Volunteers e-newsletter
• Access to the password protected pages containing the easy 10-steps guide for organisations and all supporting documentation.
• The standard is valid for 3 years

IIP

The cost is dependant on the size of the organisation and is based on the number of days required for the Assessment. The cost per day for an Assessment is £550. For an organisation under 5 people it is estimated that the assessment will take 1 to 1.25 days.

Investing in Volunteers

The full standard and practices can be downloaded from the home page without payment being made. The best practice library and documents to support an organisation through to achieving the standard are all within password protected pages.

IIP

IIP can be accessed for free. Any payments are only due when you register for an assessment.

Investing in Volunteers

1. A Self-Assessment is done by the organisation at an early stage. This is sent to an allocated assessor so that organisations are certain they are hitting the standards prior to their  final assessment. Only a small number of written documents are requested and submitted by organisations.

2. Final assessment is undertaken through site visits, the length of which will depend on the size of the organisation and range of volunteering roles. Assessors will usually spend at least a day on site using the 10 IiV Indicators as the assessment guide.

IIP

Assessments are undertaken by visits to the organisation. The length and number of visits will depend on the size of the organisation. Evidence of the organisation’s Business Plan and other strategic evidence will be required.

Assessors will spend at least 0.5 days on site using the 10 indicators to cover the assessment. There are also 4 levels of achievement across the 10 indicators if you want to achieve the ‘Investors in People Profile Standard’.

There is the option of working through the Standard without assistance from IiP. Once the organisation feels they are at a certain Standard they then can request an assessor to come into the business and assess their work to date.

Investing in Volunteers

The registration fee covers: advice and guidance from a local Volunteer Centre Partner; a workshop with an allocated assessor and all assessment (visits and report); and access to the password protected area of the Investing in Volunteers website. These web-pages include things like a tool-kit and tips from other volunteer managers who have achieved the standard. Additional consultancy support and training can also be bought from Volunteering England.

IIP

Currently Chambers of Commerce and Business Links offer free advice. This may change in the near future as the review for business services develops further.

There are ‘quality assured’ advisors available through the Regional Centre (often called the Quality Centre) but these advisors charge for their services and there is no set rate.

A plaque is supplied on completion.

Investing in Volunteers

This will vary from organisation to organisation, but normally the process will be completed within 12 months. Organisations that achieve the standard receive a plaque and certificate on completion and membership of the Achievers Club network.

IIP

It depends on the organisation but organisations are encouraged to complete within 18 months of registering.

Investing in Volunteers

Organisations can Achieve, Not Achieve or Achieve with Conditions. All organisations receive detailed feedback from their assessor. Organisations that achieve the standard with conditions are set a time within which to complete specific actions agreed with their assessor and are not entered into the quality assurance process until there are complete.

IIP

The Assessor will issue the organisation feedback which will help plan further development and decide an appropriate timescale to continue the assessment.

Investing in Volunteers

Organisations must re-accredit every 3 years. Re-accreditation fees are the same as original registration as the assessment process requires the same amount of an assessor's time.

IIP

Organisations must re-accredit within 3 years. Fees will be the same as for an initial assessment.