Training and accreditation for Volunteer Managers

Training for Volunteer Managers

Excellence in Volunteer Management Programme
In 2006 Volunteering England developed the National Training Strategy for Volunteer Managers. This led to the creation of a national programme of learning opportunities called Excellence in Volunteer Management. All elements of the programme are linked to the quality standard ‘Investing in Volunteers’ and the ‘National Occupational Standards for the Management of Volunteers’. In addition, volunteer managers can also access online resources to help them in their role.
For more information, visit the EVM page.

Excellence in Volunteer Management has been designed to reflect the different needs and learning styles of individual volunteer managers. To this end it contains several elements:
• Learning Loops
Learning Loops provide the opportunity for Volunteer Managers to come together on a regular basis to discuss issues, learn from each other and build partnerships with other Volunteer Managers in their local area.
A qualified Learning Advisor with knowledge and experience of volunteer management enables the group to reflect on their learning, helping them to learn more creatively and facilitates each Learning Loop.
Find out more about Learning Loops.

• E-Learning Tasters
E-Learning Tasters enable Volunteer Managers to get a flavour of the Excellence in Volunteer Management Programme by sampling three bite-size chunks that demonstrate both the content and the delivery style of the EVM course.
Find out more about E-Learning Tasters.

• Training Modules
The four training modules cover the themes of
- Managing yourself (15 hours)
- Managing resources (15 hours)
- Managing people (20 hours)
- Managing in the community (10 hours)
These modules can either be completed as separate units, or studied altogether as part of the Excellence in Volunteer Management Award, which is endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
Find out more about EVM courses.

AM Training
AM Training run a 'Volunteer Management Professional Training Programme', which comprises a number of short courses, which cover various aspects of volunteer management. These courses are mapped against the ‘National Occupational Standards for the Management of Volunteers’.
AM Training Head Office
Silverdale House
45 Silverdale Road
Arnside
Cumbria
LA5 0AL
Tel: 01248 421015
Email: training@amtraining.co.uk
Website: http://www.amtraining.co.uk/

Institute for Advanced Volunteer Management (IAVM)
The IAVM is a part of CSV, and offers a series of one-day training courses ranging from general volunteer management to managing volunteers in specific settings.
Allie Wall, CSV Consulting Projects Manager
CSV
237 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9NJ
Tel: 020 7643 1412
Fax: 020 7278 2864
Email: awall@csv.org.uk
Website: http://www.csv.org.uk/Get+Trained/IAVM/

Learn Direct
Learn Direct offer an Advanced level course, ‘Managing Volunteers’, which takes 40 hours to complete, and is available online. Learn Direct allows you to search for any courses in your area (not just courses which they provide) - there's a search box at http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/ where you can enter 'Volunteer Management' and your postcode.
Tel: 0800 101 901
Typetalk: 18001 0800 100 900
Minicom: 08000 568 865
Learn Direct Website page

Directory of Social Change
The Directory of Social Change runs a two-day course ‘Managing Volunteers’, which is aimed that those who are new to volunteer management.
DSC Training
24 Stephenson Way
London
NW1 2DP
Tel: 08450 77 77 07
Fax: 020 7391 4808
Email: training@dsc.org.uk
Website: http://www.dsc.org.uk/charitytraining/management.html#volunteer

Volunteer Centres
Some Volunteer Centres also provide general training for Volunteer Managers, as well as training on in-depth topics that are relevant to managing volunteers in specific settings. Details of your local Volunteer Centre can be found at:
http://www.volunteering.org.uk/finder

Accreditation for Volunteer Managers
Advanced Certificate in Volunteer Management
This certificate is offered by Lantra Awards, and is based on the National Occupational Standards. It contains five modules, and is assessed on a project which is case study-based. The project is normally completed within nine months.
Lantra Awards
Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 024 7641 9703
Fax: 024 7641 1655
Email: awards@lantra.co.uk
Website: http://www.lantra.co.uk/awards3/vrq_summary.htm

NOCN Level 3 Award in Managing Volunteers
This course is accredited by the National Open College Network, and is aimed at Volunteer Managers in smaller and medium sized organisations. It comprises of three modules, plus an external assessment.
NOCN Level 3 Award in Managing Volunteers
The National Open College Network
The Quadrant
Parkway Business Park
99 Parkway Avenue
Sheffield
S9 4WG
Tel: 0114 2270500
Fax: 0114 2270501
Email: nocn@nocn.org.uk
Website: http://www.nocn.org.uk/
NOCN leaflet (PDF)

NVQs in The Management of Volunteers
The Institute of Leadership and Management offers an NVQ in The Management of Volunteers at levels 3, 4 and 5.
Email: customer@i-l-m.com
Website links:
ILM Level 3 NVQ in The Management of Volunteers
ILM Level 4 NVQ in The Management of Volunteers
ILM Level 5 NVQ in The Management of Volunteers

The Professional Certificate in Management (Not-for-Profit version)
The Open University Business School offers this one year course, which can be a stand-alone qualification, or a route to a Masters degree.
Student Registration & Enquiry Service
The OU Business School
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
OU Business School Information Line: 0845 366 6035
Email: oubs-ilgen@open.ac.uk
Website: http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01B615

There are also a number of training courses that cover broader aspects of the voluntary sector, rather than just volunteering. Many of these are degree courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The Department of Voluntary Sector Studies at the University of Wales Lampeter offers the opportunity to either gain a BA degree in Voluntary Sector Studies, or opt for specific modules that will enhance career development.
Department of Voluntary Sector Studies
University of Wales, Lampeter
College Street
Lampeter
Ceredigion
SA48 7ED
Tel: 01570 424785
Fax: 01570 424990
Email: vss@lamp.ac.uk
Website: http://www.volstudy.ac.uk/

Roehampton University offers an MSc, MRes, Post Graduate Diploma and a Post Graduate Certificate Voluntary Action Management.
Roehampton University
Erasmus House
Roehampton Lane
London
SW15 5PU
Tel: 020 8392 3000
Fax: 020 8392 3470
Email: enquiries@roehampton.ac.uk
Website: http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/pg/vam/index.html

The Institute of Lifelong Learning at the University of Leicester offers an FdA in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations.
Institute of Lifelong Learning
128 Regent Road
Leicester
LE1 7PA
Tel: 0116 252 5911
Fax: 0116 252 5909
Email: lifelonglearning@le.ac.uk
Website: http://www.le.ac.uk/lifelonglearning/courses/man_vol_comm_orgs.html

Thames Valley University offers an FdA entitled Managing with Volunteers.
Thames Valley University
Learning Advice Centre
Tel: 0800 036 8888
Fax: 020 8231 2056
Email: learning.advice@tvu.ac.uk
Website: http://www.tvu.ac.uk/

Further information

‘National Occupational Standards for the Management of Volunteers’
http://www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/

Investing in Volunteers
http://www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk/

Workforce Hub
http://www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/

Last reviewed: April 2008

We have made every effort to ensure that this Information Sheet was correct at the time of publication. It is intended as a summary of relevant issues and suggests further sources of information. Legal advice should be sought where appropriate.

For more information on managing volunteers, please visit
The Good Practice Bank at www.volunteering.org.uk/goodpractice

Or please contact Volunteering England Information Service
Email: Information@volunteeringengland.org
Freephone Information Line: 0800 028 3304 (M-F 10.30-12.30 & 14.00-16.00)

Volunteering England
Regent’s Wharf
8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL