AIBU to think about the volunteering vetting is too complicated.

[jonathan01n]

I wish to volunteering for Mencap . I tried to fill in the form for some roles there. I noticed Mencap- In fact most charity require Two referees and CRBs. I don't have much people I know but their referee criteria is a bit harsh and it just deter me for volunteering. I agree with CRB and I dont mind them checking but the other parts is just complicated and unnecessary. We are such a nanny state. AIBU?

Yes I think you are a bit. If you are likely to be working with vulnerable people (even in a voluntary capacity) you need to be able to demonstrate a reasonable level of skill and understanding.

YABU for the idiotic "nanny state" parroting. Can you explain which part of the state demands charities obtain two references and CRB checks for volunteers?

Yeah i found it a pain. Plus i had to fill out a health questionnaire and have occupational therapy clear me. Im just doing a volunteer admin job

Sorry to hear it is putting you off but I think it is pretty standard safeguarding. If you will be interacting with vulnerable people then they need to check you are trustworthy and have no convictions. If you will be volunteering in the office you might have access to people's personal info so again they need to check you are of good character. If it was your relative who was vulnerable and being supported by a mencap volunteer you'd want them to be checked wouldn't you?

It's only a nanny state in the sense that the charity have a duty of care to the people they work with.

It's worth having a chat with them if you are struggling for references though - they might have some other ideas and it's likely they don't need references from your past employers but that friends would be fine.

Can you really not understand why it might be important to vet volunteers working with vulnerable people? CRB will only flag issues if someone has a conviction. References cover different issues.

Giving references has been the norm for all sorts of roles for as long as I can remember.

CRB/DBS is much newer, but is a requirement for anything (whether paid of voluntary) which involves more than rare/occasional and supervised contact with the vulnerable.

Yes, volunteering should be straightforward from the volunteers pov. And necessary checks need not be complex.

Too complicated

You could be working with with extremely vulnerable people

If that is going to deter you from volunteering maybe it's not for you

I just feel everyone is like criticizing me on the referee issue. I genuine feels hard to find people because I am lack of such network. This doesn't mean I am an impatience person.

I've been more put off by the charity am trying to volunteer with saying they desperately need me then after ref checks not contacting me! References are fine. Wasting my time and am taking it elsewhere!

It can be hard if you have no referees and are hoping the volunteering will provide you with one for future employment reasons.

The DBS/CRB checks are important but Are they expensive? (Never had one so don't know)

A bit OT but I find the role descriptors for volunteering are becoming more and more like job descriptions that someone should be getting paid for. This often rules out the voluntary roles for people who are on benefits seeking work as there is a rule that if it's work that should be a paid role or appears to replace what would otherwise be a paid role, you can lose your benefits.

Guiding also asks for 2 references and a DBS. I think it's fairly standard, and not particularly onerous.

Who are you thinking of asking for a reference jonathan? Friends, neighbours might be able to help? An employer or ex employer?
I am sympathetic, because I have struggled with this myself.

I may see comments that says "That's life, get over it", "It is the law" , "That's how things work here." and something along those lines, I know those are facts but I am still slightly put off by that. I did got some past teachers, friends in my life but I am not sure about their address or number and I just got irritated by that.

Most volunteer roles ask for 2 referees and a CRB. Home-start does too. They need to make sure you are suitable to be alone with vulnerable people. I would suggest calling the organisations and talking to them about your situation and see what they suggest?

teabag dbs checks are free of charge for voluntary roles. But you don't just apply for it independently, you have to do it through the organisation you will be volunteering for or an agency working on their behalf.

OP I do suggest you call mencap and see what they say. If you don't have postal addresses for the referees they might be able to apply over email? Or there might be roles that don't require a reference that you can start in and then have the chance to build your network.

I agree with everyone else, I can understand why you're frustrated but it's important to safeguard vulnerable people.

I hope you can find what you need to start volunteering.

YABU for some of it

Anyone working with vulnerable people and children should be checked. DBS is fairly simple. I would want anyone working with my kids or elderly relatives to be appropriately checked and wouldn't be terribly happy if the level of check is 'yeah this is my mate'.

That said, 2 full references seems a bit much to me. I think some charities are relying on volunteers to do what should be paid work (that the charity is now doing usually because actual public services are no longer offering it! I belive this 'Why pay someone when somebody could do it for free' is what Cameron called the Big Society!!)

drivingmisspotty thanks that's good to know!