The Catholic Church is blessed with many volunteers who work hard to keep our parish communities thriving and active.
See all volunteering opportunities in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.
Some roles will be working directly with children, young people and vulnerable adults; and will therefore require volunteers to undergo a DBS check before they undertake that role. The Parish Safeguarding Rep will discuss your role with you, and decide if you need a DBS check.
There are different levels of DBS checks depending on your role – this can be to checking you for a role with a child, a role with an adult, or both. Legally we can only check you for the role you are undertaking. Here is a list of the Roles eligible for a DBS certificate.
If you have volunteered to take on a role for the church, your contribution is very much valued and it is important that you understand your role and what you will be expected to do. Please select your role, or the role you are interested in from the list below.
The Archdiocese of Liverpool expects that all volunteers will be exemplary models of moral behaviour and spiritual faith, committed to being positive role models and building the confidence of children, young people and all who they come into contact with. Volunteers are expected to:
Ensure the safety of all children and young people by ensuring group sessions are safely planned and effectively supervised;
Foster teamwork and co-operation between everybody, promoting trust and mutual respect;
Discourage and stop rough or dangerous play, bullying, inappropriate language or other inappropriate behaviour;
Treat all children and young people fairly and not show favouritism;B
e positive, approachable and offer praise to promote the objectives of the group always;
Listen sensitively and encourage communication between adults and children or young people;
Respond to concerns and allegations promptly and appropriately in line with national procedures;
Ensure the rights and responsibilities of children and young people are enforced;
Promote the full participation and involvement of all children and young people, recognizing and addressing the additional needs of some children and young people e.g. disability;
Constructively challenge all discrimination and encourage children and young people to not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, ability, social class, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity;
Respect, promote and support the right of children and young people to make their own choices and decisions, provided this does not threaten the rights, safety and legitimate interests of others;
Respect the right of children and young people to personal privacy;
Encourage children and young people to take responsibility for their own self-care as far as possible e.g. assistance with toileting and dressing;
Respect and listen to the opinions of children and young people
Encourage children and young people to point out behaviours or attitudes that they do not like;
Encourage children and young people to take responsibility for their own conduct;
Ensure that sanctions do not humiliate or harm a child of young person
Administer first aid in the presence of others and without removing the clothing of a child or young person unless necessary;
Establish appropriate boundaries between pastoral care and personal lives in relationships with other leaders, helpers, children and young people;
Not abuse the position of trust for personal benefit e.g. financial gain, sexual gratification;
Be conscious of explicit and implicit power vested in the role of group leader, supervisor of adult helper;
Acknowledge the limitations of time, experience, skill and competence – know where and how to ask for support when needed;
Deal with differences in opinion with respect;
Work to people’s strengths, and never bully, abuse, manipulate or denigrate.
Act always in accordance with the core values of the Catholic faith and ensure that their behaviour does not bring the church into disrepute;
Provide an example you wish others to follow;
Work in a way that is honest, reliable and transparent, never seeking to deceive or manipulate;
Refrain from using blasphemous, violent, discriminatory, or offensive language and behaviour;
Refrain from smoking, vaping, consuming alcohol or using drugs;
Seek help to address issues such as addictions to alcohol, prescribed medicine, other substances, gambling, and so on where these matters affect the adult’s role;
Not engage in any form of sexual relations (including verbal banter, flirtation, using one’s gaze to signal attraction, etc.) with children, young people, young helpers or adults for whom you have a supervisory or supportive role.
Any breaches of the Code of Conduct will be addressed by the group leader, or parish priest. This may also be reported to the safeguarding department for advice and guidance. More serious or persistent breaches may result in formal action being taken to address the concerns.
All concerns or allegations in relation to the abuse of a child or adult at risk will be dealt with using the national safeguarding policy and procedures in relation to the management of allegations and concerns.
