Legal Issues and Volunteering

This Core Theme of the Good Practice Bank should help you to find information about laws or rules which relate to volunteer involvement. While Volunteering England's Information Service have made every effort to ensure that any resources were correct at the time of publication, please note that these documents are only intended as a summary of relevant issues. Legal advice should still always be sought where appropriate.

Legal Issues Involving Volunteers - VE article

Articles

Volunteering England members

Information Sheets

Other legal issues?

For information about criminal records checks, please visit the 'Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Clients' section
For information about health and safety laws, please visit the 'Health and Safety and Insurance' section
For information about volunteer expenses, please visit the 'Expenses and State Benefits' section

Examples, Samples and Templates

Template documents

Template confidentiality and data protection forms - Volunteer Centre Sheffield (external link)

Sample documents

Sample Data Protection Statement - VE document (PDF)

Alternatively, you can find example documents related to legal issues in other areas of the Good Practice Bank. Please choose a core theme to find examples related to that topic.

Links

Data Protection and Retention of Records

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
A public body which gives guidance and helps to oversee the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act
http://www.ico.gov.uk
Useful pages on the ICO website
- Legal obligations under the Data Protection Act
- When you need to 'notify'
- References and good practice
- Retention of recruitment records (especially sections 1.7, 2.9 and 2.15)
Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD)
A professional body for management and personnel development issues. The information is focused on employment, but still useful for volunteer managers.
http://www.cipd.co.uk/
Useful pages on the CIPD website
- Retention of personnel and other related records
- Providing and using references

Possible sources of legal information or help

Please note that Volunteering England is unable to endorse any sources of legal advice. The following organisations are listed below because they have experience of working with the voluntary sector. Some offer services for free and others charge for advice.