Recruitment

The recruitment and selection of volunteers is done very carefully as we are sometimes placing volunteers with very vulnerable families.

After the initial enquiry - usually by phone - each potential volunteer will be sent out some information about Home-Start UK and Home-Start MAJIK and if they are still interested an appointment will be made for an initial interview with the Co-ordinator.

If the Co-ordinator feels that the person is a suitable candidate for volunteering with Home-Start MAJIK, they will be offered a place on the next Volunteer Preparation Course. They will also be asked to fill in an application form, which asks for the names of two referees as well as other relevant information about the applicant. A check for offences by the Scottish Criminal Records Office is also required. No volunteer would become involved with any family without these checks being completed.

The duration of the preparation course depends on whether it is held at night or during the day. Daytime courses last 6 weeks and evening courses last 9 weeks (see next page for preparation course details).

The Preparation Course is designed to do two things:

1. Prepare the volunteer for the things they might encounter as a home visiting volunteer.

2. Help the co-ordinator get to know the volunteer. This is essential if the co-ordinator has to try and match a family with a suitable volunteer.

At the end of the course, there is a final interview when the volunteer will be told whether or not they have been accepted as a Home-Start home visiting volunteer.