GUIDANCE NOTES FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

Confidentiality

We wish to ensure that comparison between applicants is fair and in line with the bureau’s Equal Opportunities Policies. The information you provide on this form is the only information we will use in deciding whether you will be short listed for an interview.

Notes for completing the application form

  • Before completing the form please read through the form and also read the role descriptions enclosed with this pack, which outline the main duties for the volunteering roles we are currently recruiting to. These are listed below in section 5.
  • The form should be completed in black ink or typed to enable clear photocopying.
  • CVs will not be considered
  • Pleaseensure that you fully complete the application form and that you clearly demonstrate,giving examples, of how you meet the skills, and personal qualities outlined. This list can be found on each of the role descriptions enclosed with the application form.
  • References: One of your referees should be your present or most recent line manager. If you have never been employed or have been unemployed for a long time please provide the name of someone who knows you well enough to confirm the information you have given and who can comment on your ability to carry out the volunteering role.
  • Criminal convictions: With certain exceptions, a person who has become a rehabilitated person for the purpose of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974in respect of a conviction shall be treated in law as a person who has not committed or been charged with or prosecuted for or convicted of or sentenced for the offence or offences which were the subject of that conviction. This enables a volunteer or prospective volunteer to conceal certain details relating to what is called by the Act a ‘spent conviction’. The rehabilitation period depends upon the sentence; the periods are set out as follows:

Sentence Rehabilitation Period
Imprisonment, corrective training or sentence of detention in a
young offenders’ institution for more than six months but not
more than 30 months ten years*
Imprisonment or sentence of detention in a young offenders’
institution for a term not exceeding six months seven years*
A fine or other sentence not expressly covered by the Act five years*
Order for detention in detention centre three years*
Absolute discharge six months*
Conditional discharge one year*
Probation five years*

Sections 25 and 26 (1) (d) or (g) of the Immigration Act 1971 are concerned with the following offences: assisting illegal entry, falsifying documentation or obstructing the authorities investigating immigration offences. If you have committed one of the offences above you may still be able to be an adviser; however, we would have to contact the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, in order to discuss the issues.

Application to become a Volunteer at

Westminster Citizens Advice Bureau

Data Protection Act 1998

As part of the recruitment procedure we may collect and store sensitive personal data about you. We are required by law to obtain your consent to such data being recorded. It is our policy to store data relating to recruitment procedures for up to a year after the date on which it is submitted. Any information of this nature will be treated confidentially. Sensitive personal data is defined as information relating to any of the following: racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, health, sexuality or sex life, offences and/or convictions.

For the purposes of the Act, the Data Controller is Westminster CAB, 21a Conduit Place, Paddington, London, W2 1HS.

1. Name:……….…………………………….…………………………………………………

2. Address: ……………………………………………………….………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Postcode: …………………

3. Telephone: …………………………………………………………………………………...

  1. Email:…………………………………………………………………………………………
  1. Please tick the role that you are applying for

See role description enclosed for further information

Role / Availability / Please Tickk tick
Gatewayer / 1/2 weekdays pw
Information Assistant/Administration / 1/2 weekdays pw
Community Fundraiser / 1 weekday pw
Marketing/Public Relations / 1 weekday pw
  1. Please confirm your availability for volunteering
  • Classroom day: Thursday (for the initial training period)

Training type / Date / Please
Tick
Induction (all roles) / 31 March 2016
Training (Gatewayer role) / 7 April 2016
Training (Gatewayer role) / 14 April 2016
Training (Gatewayer role) / 21 April 2016
  • Please tick which other day(s) you are available during the training period:

(NB. After the initial training period, we can agree alternative volunteering days for the remainder of the placement)

day / evening
Monday / n/a
Tuesday
Wednesday / n/a
Thursday
Friday / n/a
Saturday / n/a

7. Please tick the relevant boxes below to indicate what has prompted you to apply to volunteer with Westminster CAB?

To help my local community / To develop my skills / To make a difference to people’s lives / To improve my career prospects
To improve my health and well-being / I have worked in CABs before / I agree with what the CAB aims to do / To use my experience to help people
To meet new people / To try something new / Other (please write in)

8. Which of these activities best describes what you are doing at present?

Employee in full –time job / On a volunteer placement
Employee in part-time job / Unemployed and available for work
Self-employed part-time / Permanently sick/disabled
Student in full-time education / Retired from work
Student in part-time education / Caring for dependants adults or children
On a government supported training programme / Other (please write in)………………………….
9. Volunteering

Have you previously volunteered with Citizens Advice or any other organisations? YES/NO

If yes please state when and where you volunteered.

10. Supporting information

Please say how you meet the skills, relevant experience and personal qualities outlined in the relevant role description. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

11. References

Please give the names and addresses of two people, other than your family, who can tell us about you. If applicable, one should be your present or most recent employer and if you have volunteered at another CAB you should write the manager’s details.

i. Name:……...……..………………………………………………………………………

Address: ………………….……………….………………………………………………

Postcode: ……………………………….

Email address:.………………………………………………..…………………………..

ii. Name:……...……..………………………………………………………………………

Address: ………………….……………….………………………………………………

..………………………………………………Postcode: ……………………………….

Email address: .………………………………………………..…………………………..

12. Criminal Convictions

Please refer to the Guidance Notes above before completing this section. All information is treated as confidential

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?

*If Yes, please give details:

Have you ever committed an offence under sections 25 and 26 (1) (d) or (g) of the Immigration Act 1971?

*If Yes, please give details:

I declare the information given on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge, and I give my consent to my personal information being recorded and stored.

Signature ______ Date ______

Please return this form to: Frances Kirby, Training Coordinator, Westminster CAB,

21a Conduit Place, London, W2 1HS or by e-mail to:

CAB monitoring information

This page will be removed on receipt and is used for monitoring purposes only. The information contained will not affect your application.

The CAB service aims to provide equal opportunities and fair treatment for all people applying to be volunteers regardless of age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation.

In order to achieve these aims we have a policy of monitoring the profile of all volunteer applicants. All information will be recorded anonymously and treated confidentially.

Age

 <25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

GenderDo you consider yourself to have a disability?

Female Male Yes No

Please indicate your ethnic group by ticking one box (these are the categories used

by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission)

White / Black or Black British
British...... /  / Caribbean...... / 
Irish...... /  / African...... / 
Any other White background
(Please specify)…………………… /  / Any other Black background
(Please specify)...... / 
Mixed / Asian or Asian British
White & Black Caribbean...... /  / Indian...... / 
White & Black African...... /  / Pakistani...... / 
White & Asian...... /  / Bangladeshi...... / 
Any other mixed background
(Please specify)...... /  / Any other Asian background
(Please specify...... / 

Chinese

/  / Other ethnic group
(Please specify)...... / 

Where did you hear about becoming a CAB volunteer?

e.g. newspaper article, poster (where?), through a friend, Volunteer Centre etc, website.

………..………………………………………………………………………………………...

…………………….……………………………………………………………………………

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