Revised National occupational standards (NOS) for the Management of Volunteers have been published by the UK Workforce Hub.

These standards have been developed for use by anyone who manages volunteers.

The standards were written by a steering group of experts and practitioners, led by the UK Workforce Hub and compiled by the Management Standards Consultancy.

The process included a three month UK-wide consultation period in which individuals were able to contribute their views via an online consultation or at one of the UK events.

Voluntary and community organisations across the UK will be able to make use of the new standards in their recruitment, selection, training and development procedures in order to improve the skills of volunteer managers.

These standards are funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, (UKCES). They include the knowledge and skills that every competent manager of volunteers needs to acquire in order do their job to a nationally recognised level of competence.

Janet Fleming, head of the UK Workforce Hub, said: “These standards will help drive up the quality of volunteer management as well as raising the profile of this essential role. 

“By committing to using the standards organisations and individuals will be signalling their intention to make the volunteering experience as positive and rewarding as possible. We believe that the volunteers and those they work with will benefit enormously.”

Justin Davis Smith, chief executive at Volunteering England added: "Revising and updating of National Occupational Standards for the Management of Volunteers, together with a qualification framework for NVQs and SVQs, is a significant step forward in enabling those concerned with supporting volunteers to make their full contribution to organisations, to develop their own skills and professionalism in this critical role.”