The Volunteer Rights Inquiry has proposed setting up a volunteer complaints commission or a volunteering ombudsman in its interim report.

The Inquiry, which was set up by Volunteering England, found two-thirds of the 72 volunteers and trustees who submitted evidence reported problems whilst volunteering, ranging from bullying to sexual harassment.

Respondents suggested clear information and advice, national standards or legislation to improve the rights of volunteer.

The Inquiry has now mooted establishing either a volunteer complaints commission or ombudsman, creating an arbitration scheme for volunteers and establishing a kitemark for volunteering.

It has also suggested encouraging all charity boards to have a trustee overseeing volunteering and the creation of a code of conduct for charities and volunteers.

The Volunteer Rights Inquiry will now talk with stakeholders to discuss the proposed options and reach a final ‘call to action’ later in the year.

Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs, chair of Volunteering England:
 
“Members of the Volunteer Rights Inquiry heard from numerous volunteers recounting shocking stories of bad management, poor governance, bullying and improper behaviour.  But the sheer scale and diversity of volunteering in its settings across the public, private and voluntary sectors, present some challenges in identifying a universal solution.

“In this report, our aim is to share the findings with those responsible for recruiting and resourcing volunteers.  By working together, we are better placed to design solutions and fail-safes that are proportionate to the range of voluntary action, maintain the reciprocal nature of volunteering and which uphold parity of esteem between volunteers and paid staff.”