Introduction
UK Spaniel Rescue recognises that volunteer development and learning is an integral part of the
organisation’s strategic planning so that all volunteers can perform their individual roles
effectively.
Whilst we do not have specific training modules, we will train new volunteers on our methods and
procedures and will also give training on any new software we may use.
Aims
The main aims of this policy are to:
- Provide an environment where continuous learning and development take place.
- To ensure that volunteers are supported and enabled to meet the changing demands of the UK Spaniel Rescue
- To facilitate volunteer development through assisting volunteers to broaden, deepen and thereby further enhance their existing skill base.
Equal Opportunities
UK Spaniel Rescue is committed to ensuring equality of learning opportunity; hence no volunteer will be excluded from learning on the grounds of gender (including gender reassignment), age, marital status, disability, racial grounds (race, colour, nationality including citizenship – ethnic or national origin), sexual orientation, religion or belief, responsibility for dependants, trade union membership or employment status.
Responsibilities
Volunteers
Volunteer development is most effective when the individual volunteer takes responsibility for identifying any opportunities for self-development which will enhance work performance through increased skills and knowledge.
We hope all volunteers to also take a proactive approach to furthering organisational wide learning and development.
Routes to Learning & Development
Options for learning & development may include:
- On the job learning including learning from other volunteers via job shadowing, mentoring, in house skill sharing, etc.;
- Attending conferences
- An external course of study;
- Web based e learning
Key Professional and Skills Based Learning
UK Spaniel Rescue aims to prioritise learning that focuses on areas which:
- Ensure IT skills are at a basic level of competency and developed in accordance with work needs;
- Enable volunteers to meet their responsibilities
Core Learning
There are specific areas of learning which are essential for all volunteers and cover a rolling programme of needs which have been identified as part of a continuous programme of learning and development. Core learning will therefore cover the following areas:
Induction
It is important that new volunteers are given guidance and support on the UK Spaniel Rescue, its work and practices and their individual duties and responsibilities.
ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)
UK Spaniel Rescue is committed to ensuring that all volunteers have competent grounding in the use of ICT in the wider context of their roles. Volunteers will be positively encouraged to become familiar with email and computer software packages at their disposal so that they become confident, skilled users.
Performance Management
Performance Management is an on-going communication process, which involves both the line manager and their volunteer in:
- Identifying and describing essential job
- Giving and receiving feedback about performance
Identifying and Assessing Learning Needs
There are a number of ways that learning and development needs are identified, these can be as follows:
- Occupational – As a result of introducing new technology, work methods, systems or practices
(internally or externally). - Promotion – As a result of an increase in responsibilities within the UK Spaniel Rescue.
- Developmental – Is vocational in nature and provides the volunteer with additional skills that
can be applied at present or increases the individual’s potential for further growth. - Organisational – Affects a particular function or department as a result of changing work
methods, procedures or practices and/or supports the overall strategy of UK Spaniel
Rescue.
Learning Logs
Volunteers are encouraged to keep a record of all training, learning and development that they have undertaken or achieved. Learning logs are a way of evaluating individual learning. It allows volunteers to record and self-evaluate their learning experiences, identifying how their learning can be used further to benefit others, and/or UK Spaniel Rescue as whole.
We encourage our volunteers to take on courses that will help them on their journey as volunteers within their roles as dog rescue volunteers but this will be at the volunteer’s expense. We will make volunteers aware of any courses that we feel would be of interest or would benefit their roles.
| TOPIC | DATE COMPLETED | TRAINER |
| Animal welfare including recognising poor welfare | ||
| Animal handling | ||
| Animal behaviour | ||
| Cleanliness and hygiene | ||
| Feeding and food preparation | ||
| Disease prevention and control | ||
| First aid treatment of sick or injured animals | ||
| New dogs training |
Contact numbers for UK Spaniel Rescue:
Trustees:
Andrea Phillips (Lancashire) – 07935 652999
Lisa Regan (Lancashire) – 07718 173039
Caroline Lewis (Powys) – 07738 715195
Babs Kinnear (Inverness) – 07828 812009
Your line manager is:
The person responsible for this policy/procedure is: Andrea Phillips
This policy has been approved by the Board of Trustees
Policy approved date 22nd October 2024
This policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Board of Trustees
Next review due: October 2025