LawCare Volunteer Agreement

LawCare couldn’t continue to do its vital work in helping legal professionals across the UK without our volunteers. We will do the best we can to make your volunteer experience with us enjoyable and rewarding. This Volunteer Agreement describes the relationship between LawCare and you, the volunteer.

Volunteering Expectations

All new helpline volunteers, online chat volunteers and peer supporters will have a six-month orientation period.

Your contribution as a volunteer may be reviewed at our discretion and you may be invited to participate in refresher training sessions to ensure a consistent level of service for our callers.

We understand that volunteering is a significant commitment and that personal circumstances can change. If you decide to step down from your volunteer role, we kindly ask that you let us know in writing with as much notice as possible so we can plan accordingly.

We may ask at any time that you stand down from volunteering or take a break if we consider that the role is no longer suitable or if you have been unable to participate in recommended training.

Induction and Training

We will provide a thorough induction outlining the work of LawCare, our staff, your volunteering role, and the training we recommend attending to help you feel confident, prepared and to meet the responsibilities of this role. Volunteers are invited to begin their role after completing the initial training, which provides essential preparation. Additional training opportunities will be offered periodically to support your continued involvement.

Supervision and Support

LawCare strives to do its best to help you develop your volunteering role with us. We will explain the standards we expect for our services and encourage and support you to achieve and maintain them.

In order to maintain the service standards and integrity expected we ask that all helpline volunteers and online chat volunteers attend a minimum of three supervision sessions each year, spread throughout the year. Peer supporters who are actively supporting callers are also encouraged to attend.

Your wellbeing is important to us. You are encouraged to speak to a member of the Support Services Team if you have any wellbeing concerns. In addition to supervision, we also provide confidential telephone counselling 24 hours a day provided by Care First, who can be contacted at any time.

Expenses

Expenses that have been incurred in connection with LawCare volunteer duties and are in accordance with our expenses policy will be reimbursed.

Insurance

LawCare provides liability cover for volunteers whilst carrying out their volunteering roles which have been approved and authorised by us.

 

LawCare expects a volunteer to:

1. treat all information received in your role as a LawCare volunteer in strict confidence, with regard to both the nature of the problem and the identity of the contact
2. maintain appropriate boundaries with service users, limiting contact to telephone or online support, and informing LawCare if boundaries are being overstepped by the service user
3. uphold and support the philosophy and policies of LawCare
4. meet the time commitments and standards which have been mutually agreed and give reasonable advance notice so other arrangements can be made when this is not possible

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

LawCare is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion among our staff, volunteers and service users. We strive to ensure that everyone regardless of any protected characteristic is treated fairly and given equal respect and opportunity either in terms of employment or voluntary role opportunity, or as a service user or stakeholder. We want our staff and volunteers to be truly representative of the community we serve. By effectively implementing our equity, diversity and inclusion policy we aim to attract and retain talented staff and volunteers and create a positive working environment for all.

 

We’re very grateful to you for your commitment, time, and enthusiasm. We love being part of a team of people who are passionate about wellbeing in the legal profession and are willing to share their insights and experiences with others. We are happy to have you on that team.

Legal Disclaimer

Both LawCare and the volunteer understand that this agreement is binding in honour only, does not constitute a legally binding contract, and that there is no intention of establishing an employment relationship or other worker relationship either now or at any time in the future.