Volunteer Passport
Free training for people who volunteer with children and young people in Derbyshire.
Volunteers are important. They support the huge range of activities and services for children in Derbyshire − such as youth groups, sports clubs, pre-school playgroups, toy libraries, drama clubs, family support projects and schemes for young unemployed people or disabled children.
We want to recognise and support volunteers and encourage more people to get involved.
That's what the Derbyshire Volunteer Passport is all about.
What is the Volunteer Passport?
It's a short training course covering the key skills volunteers need to have to work with children and young people.
When they have finished training, volunteers are awarded a certificate and a Volunteer Passport photo ID badge, providing they have proof of a CRB check.
Volunteers can wear the badge to show they are approved by us.
Who can get a Volunteer Passport?
The Volunteer Passport is for anyone over the age of 16 who volunteers with children or young people or who wants to volunteer in the future.
You could be an experienced volunteer who already gives several hours a week. Or you could be thinking about volunteering for the first time.
You don't need any qualifications to train for a Volunteer Passport.
Why get a Volunteer Passport?
It demonstrates you have the basic skills needed to volunteer with children and young people.
The training will help you to build on any volunteering experience you already have.
If you are thinking about a future career working with children, a Volunteer Passport can help give you confidence and open doors.
The training
There are five half-day training sessions. Each session is led by experienced and fully qualified tutors.
The sessions cover the following subjects:
Getting the opinions of children and young people
This session looks at why it is important to involve children in decisions that affect them and looks at practical and creative ways of consulting young people of all ages and abilities.Keeping children and young people safe
This session will help volunteers to understand the roles of other agencies in child protection, how to be alert to signs of abuse and have the confidence to act appropriately.Health and safety
This practical session looks at the causes of accidents and how we can work together to prevent them. It covers the basics of a health and safety risk assessment including identifying hazards and reducing risks.First aid
This session covers accidents and injuries you may come across when volunteering and gives you the basic skills and confidence to deal with emergencies, such as choking or bleeding. The session also includes CPR techniques.Equality and diversity
This course will help to give volunteers confidence in meeting the needs of all children and share good practice. The session also covers equal opportunities terminology and the importance of working with parents.
Is there a charge?
There is no charge to attend the training or for the Volunteer Passport ID badge and certificate.
Do I need a CRB check?
Yes, you must have a CRB check before we can issue a Volunteer Passport.
If you are already volunteering with children you will have a CRB check.
If you are new to volunteering you are welcome to apply to do the training sessions but we will not be able to issue the Volunteer Passport until you have a CRB check.
Where does the training take place?
Training sessions will be held at many venues across Derbyshire. When you apply to Volunteer Passport we will give you more information about where and when training sessions are held.
What happens after the training?
If you are not already a volunteer, your local volunteer centre can help you to find an opportunity to suit your skills and interests.
If you are interested in taking your training further, they can also help you to progress on to national qualification courses.
How to apply
You can apply online. Within two weeks you will get a call from your local volunteer centre.
They will tell you where and when the training takes place and can answer any questions you may have.