Volunteer Registration Form

Volunteers play a vital role within the Catholic Church, helping to build a welcoming, caring and faith-filled community. Through their generosity of time and talents, volunteers support Parish Ministries, community outreach programmes, Liturgical celebrations and many other activities that contribute to the Mission of the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Southwark is truly grateful for our volunteers contribution. Completing this volunteer registration form is an important step in ensuring ALL volunteers are appropriately supported, trained and safeguarded. It also helps both the Parish and Archdiocese maintain accurate records, while complying with safeguarding and insurance requirements. It also ensures that your Parish has all necessary emergency contact details if required. Thank you for completing this form and for your willingness to serve and share your gifts within our Parishes and the Archdiocesan community.

Within this form there is also a request for two references and to sign the Code of Conduct. Once both are completed, your PSR or Parish Priest will contact the safeguarding team and the DBS application process will commence.

In case of an emergency, it is really important that we have your emergency contact details – please supply in the boxes below

If you are from the European Union, you can volunteer in the UK. If you are from outside the EU, you will need to check that your visa allows you to volunteer. Individuals who are asylum seekers, with refugee status or who have exceptional leave to remain can volunteer. The UK Borders and Immigration Agency should be contacted if there is any uncertainty about permission to volunteer in the UK.

Please describe your skills, experience and personal qualities and how you think they will help you in the roles you are seeking to volunteer in.

Safer recruitment is an important aspect of keeping our parishes and communities safe. As part of the safer recruitment process we need two referees, who will supply a reference for the role you have been asked to complete. Family, Friends, your current Parish Priests, Assistant Priest or Deacon cannot be referees but your previous parish priest, manager at work etc can be your referee

For further details on why referees are required, see our Safer Recruitment Policy.

Code of Conduct

Archdiocese of Southwark Code of Conduct

The Archdiocese of Southwark is committed to creating safe spaces and ensuring children, adults and all members of our parish community are protected from abuse and harm. This code of conduct is a commitment to the position of trust and duty of care all volunteers and staff representing the Archdiocese of Southwark have towards the children, adults and our parish community. It details the behavioural expectations and when followed reduces the possibility of unfounded allegations being made.

When volunteering or working with young people/adults at risk/members of parish community, you are responsible for:

• Prioritising the welfare of those you are supporting
• Providing a safe environment
• Following the Archdiocese Safeguarding Policy
• Modelling good behaviour
• Challenging all unacceptable behaviour and reporting any breaches of this code or the safeguarding policy to the Archdiocese of Southwark Safeguarding team, PSR or Priest
• Reporting all concerns of abusive behaviour, being displayed by either an adult or child
• Treating all children, adults at risk and members of our parish comunity, fairly, without prejudice or discrimination and challenging behaviour that falls below this standard
• Respecting differences in gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, disability and religious beliefs – appreciating every person’s gifts and avoiding favouritism
• Promoting relationships that are based on openness, honesty, trust and respect while listening to and respecting others at all times
• Ensuring your contact with children, adults at risk and members of our parish community is appropriate and relevant to the work or project you are involved in
• Ensuring that there is more than one adult present during all planned activities with children and Adults at Risk (if your work requires lone working with adults at risk, you must follow the guidance within our safeguarding policy. Anyone planning to complete lone working with children must contact the safeguarding team.)
• Ensuring you do not use derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or gestures to or in front of children, Adults at Risk or members of your parish community or act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive

When volunteering or working with children or adults at risk, you MUST NOT:

• Take unnecessary risks
• Smoke, consume alcohol or use illegal substances
• Develop inappropriate relationships with children or adults at risk. Your role requires you to remain professional at all times
• Make inappropriate comments or promises to children and adults at risk
• Engage in behaviour that is in any way abusive – including having any form of sexual contact with a child/adult at risk, including on-line
• Let them have your personal contact details (e.g., mobile number, email) or have contact with them via a personal social media account

You MUST REPORT any concerns, disclosures or allegations.

You should always follow this code of behaviour and never rely on your reputation or that of the Archdiocese of Southwark to protect you. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, if you have behaved inappropriately you may be subject to disciplinary procedures or requested to stop volunteering within the Archdiocese of Southwark. A referral may also be made to statutory agencies such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), police and/or social care. If you become aware of any breaches of this code, you must report them to the Archdiocese safeguarding team or your PSR or Parish Priest.

Signing this volunteer/staff Code of Conduct is an important part of the safeguarding process when serving within the Catholic Church. It confirms the volunteers/staff members commitment to acting in a manor that reflects the values, mission and teachings of the Catholic Church. This Code of Conduct sets out clear expectations for behaviour, promoting respectful & professional relationships and supports a culture of safeguarding, accountability and trust. By signing this Code of Conduct-volunteers/staff members acknowledge their responsibility to uphold these standards and contribute to creating safe and welcoming environments for all members of the church community.

Please sign to confirm you have read and understood the Archdiocese of Southwark’s Code of Conduct for volunteers/staff and agree to abide by them